‘Bash’ is a bloody ride through a chaotic Halloween house party, where mischief gives way to a much darker undercurrent. Writer/Director Jordan Mirrione gives us a darkly comic horror short that throws its viewers into a whirlwind of carnage, betrayal, and twisted humor. The set-up is deceptively lighthearted: a house full of exuberant teens, masked burglars plotting their heist, and a soundtrack that pulses with youthful glee. But when the robbers realize that the homeowner isn’t the helpless victim they thought, the film swiftly veers into gory mayhem.
Despite its low-budget status, ‘Bash’ has solid craftsmanship. Cinematographer Kevin Turkheimer captures the action with a sleek, energetic style that complements the frenetic energy of the party. The editing is flawless, helping to maintain the breakneck pace of the chaos. The absence of dialogue is a bold choice – focusing solely on the background noise of party-goers and the ever-present music, which swells and contracts with the tension in a near-symphonic way.
The burglars, expecting an easy target, quickly find themselves outmatched by vengeful (and increasingly sinister) nature. The result is a bloodbath that leans heavily into the genre’s conventions while keeping a sly comedic edge. The action sequences are over-the-top, the blood is abundant, and the cannibalism scenes elevate the grotesque humor to a level that’s equal parts shocking and darkly entertaining.
With performances that never take themselves too seriously, the short delivers a knockout of gore and chaos. It’s a high-energy, neatly-crafted short that gleefully embraces the absurdity of its premise. If you’re in the mood for a chaotic Halloween romp with a wicked sense of humor, this is the blood-soaked treat you’ve been waiting for.
