ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

No Hard Shells Crack?

Synopsis

In the midst of lockdown, a man becomes unbalanced and loses his temper with a suitcase which leads to a surreal event.

Review

5/5
A fast-paced horror that delves into paranoia fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written and directed by Rich Mcafee, ‘No Hard Shells Crack?’ is an experimental horror film that explores paranoia and trepidation during a government imposed COVID-19 lockdown. Starring Rich Mcafee and Naz Akther, the fast-paced short (which is entirely set in one location) delves into the protagonist’s angst and health anxiety when his flatmate returns home from an overseas trip. Her suitcase acts as the symbolic narrative antagonist that accelerates his fears of being seized by the virus.

The 3-minute film opens with the central character reading a government issued stay-at-home letter. The narrative takes place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Upon the arrival of his flatmate, an overwhelming notion of apprehension engulfs his psyche – fearing she has imported the virus into his “safe space”. The trembling mysterious suitcase acts a metaphor for the sinister virus. A riveting watch with a thinly vailed comical underbelly.

No Hard Shells Crack?
Rich Mcafee has crafted an outstanding short that excels both narratively and technically. Not only does the film deliver stellar cinematography, sound and post-production, but the lighting and musical soundtrack is skillfully orchestrated – which flow hand-in-hand to aid the theme of spine-chilling terror. The protagonist (Rich Mcafee) delivers an engrossing portrayal throughout – his ability to convey consternation is highly commendable and abundantly entertaining. A well mastered piece of filmmaking that deserves high praise and acclaim. A worthy watch. Highly recommended viewing.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Rich Mcafee
Writer(s): Rich Mcafee
Cast: Naz Akther, Rich Mcafee
Producer(s): Rich Mcafee
Director of Photography:
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , ,
Collections:
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 3 min

Recommended

4/5

Public Notice

A music-driven essay film about greed, excess, and the price of unbound suburban development….
  • Documentary, Experimental
  • Sweden
  • 2023
  • 3 min
5/5

Underwater

Mara, an introverted girl who lost her father, Erik several years ago, doesn’t practice water dance anymore. Haunted by her anxieties, Mara is in…
  • Drama, Experimental
  • Switzerland
  • 2022
  • 26 min
3/5

Primal Instinct X

A mumblecore found-footage film. Slate Crackbone has a new television show: Primal Instinct X. The goal of the show? Hunt down monsters, but it’s…
  • Comedy, Horror
  • United States
  • 2015
  • 18 min
3/5

Stormy Weather Rhapsody

The story of a group of dancers, an up-and-coming jazz vocalist, and an artistic director who are struggling to make a success of themselves…
  • Drama, Experimental, Music
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 19 min
3/5

Im Wald

Three friends are camping in the forest. Unfortunately, they are not alone. Will they find out who is chasing them and will they escape?…
  • Horror
  • Switzerland
  • 2023
  • 17 min
4/5

The Suppertime Sinners: Entrée

When high school teacher Adam Evanson receives a mission from a divine being to cleanse the world of sins, he assembles a group of…
  • Horror, LGBTQ+
  • Australia
  • 2022
  • 6 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Rich Mcafee
Writer(s): Rich Mcafee
Cast: Naz Akther, Rich Mcafee
Producer(s): Rich Mcafee
Director of Photography:
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , ,
Collections:
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 3 min

Recommended

5/5

Feast

  • Comedy, Horror
  • United States
  • 2021
Van Helsing gets wind of a vampire party in his neighborhood… only, it’s not the vampire party he was expecting….
4/5

Endangered

  • Comedy, Horror
  • United States
  • 2020
The world of easy-going teenager Roger Burns flips upside-down after he’s seduced into a late night swim with his girlfriend and contracts a rare, endangered parasite.

All Roger wants to do is get back to adolescent frivolities and basketball, but everyone from his parents, to his doctors, to animal rights…

No Hard Shells Crack?

Synopsis

In the midst of lockdown, a man becomes unbalanced and loses his temper with a suitcase which leads to a surreal event.

Review

A fast-paced horror that delves into paranoia fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

5/5
Written and directed by Rich Mcafee, ‘No Hard Shells Crack?’ is an experimental horror film that explores paranoia and trepidation during a government imposed COVID-19 lockdown. Starring Rich Mcafee and Naz Akther, the fast-paced short (which is entirely set in one location) delves into the protagonist’s angst and health anxiety when his flatmate returns home from an overseas trip. Her suitcase acts as the symbolic narrative antagonist that accelerates his fears of being seized by the virus.

The 3-minute film opens with the central character reading a government issued stay-at-home letter. The narrative takes place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Upon the arrival of his flatmate, an overwhelming notion of apprehension engulfs his psyche – fearing she has imported the virus into his “safe space”. The trembling mysterious suitcase acts a metaphor for the sinister virus. A riveting watch with a thinly vailed comical underbelly.

No Hard Shells Crack?
Rich Mcafee has crafted an outstanding short that excels both narratively and technically. Not only does the film deliver stellar cinematography, sound and post-production, but the lighting and musical soundtrack is skillfully orchestrated – which flow hand-in-hand to aid the theme of spine-chilling terror. The protagonist (Rich Mcafee) delivers an engrossing portrayal throughout – his ability to convey consternation is highly commendable and abundantly entertaining. A well mastered piece of filmmaking that deserves high praise and acclaim. A worthy watch. Highly recommended viewing.

Recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Short Films Matter is an online short film platform that reviews independent short films from across the globe.

We are proud to feature the work of up-and-coming talent as well as established filmmakers.

Unlike other curated short film platforms, we never reject short films. All films submitted are guaranteed to be showcased on our website.

 

You can submit your short film for review using our submission form. Our submission fee is $50. 

Any submissions received via email or social media will be not be accepted.

No. Short Films Matter is a short film platform that reviews and promotes short films via our website and social media. We do not hold live screening events or competitions.

All short films on our platform are publicly available. Filmmakers can request we showcase a trailer instead.

If you would like to make any changes to your review page/or request deletion, you can do so via email.

1. All short films must be publicly hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. If your short film is currently in a festival season. you can submit a trailer. This can be and changed later once your festival season has concluded.

2. Short Films must be 40 minutes or less.

3. You can submit a film that was produced/released in any year, country or language.

4. We accept all types of short films, including: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Horror, LGBTQ+, Music, Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller.

5. We do not refund submissions.

6. Subtitles are required if the film is not in the English language.

© 2023 Short Films Matter

Instagram Envelope