Directed by Trina Davenport and Brezen Torres, ‘Pretty Please’ is a character-driven horror, crafted under the time constraints of the 48 Hour Horror Film Project. Written and shot by Brezen Torres, this low-budget short doesn’t rely on expensive tricks – it builds dread through character, consequence, and a relentless tone shift. The short is executive produced by Will R Ward.
Cassidy Watkinson commands the screen as Jesse, a woman portrayed not by sympathy, but by scathing witness testimony. Her co-workers tease her personality, before we (the viewer) are introduced. Jesse is selfish, cold, brash – someone who ignores the vulnerable without a flicker of conscience. From her disdain for the homeless to her cruel indifference toward a schoolgirl in need, she’s no misunderstood anti-hero. She’s the problem.
The film plants us firmly in Jesse’s morally bankrupt world – and then, it rips it apart. Alone in the office, horror takes hold. The transition is stark, the fear sudden and gory, and it’s here that the film excels. It’s disturbing, chilling, and absolutely not for the faint-hearted.
Visually, it’s surprisingly sophisticated – Torres’ cinematography stands out, with tight framing and confident pacing. Minor sound issues in the opening office scene are noticeable but forgivable. The editing supports the tone beautifully, carrying the story into darker and darker territory without losing rhythm.
If there’s one fair critique, it’s that the plot treads familiar ground – a Scrooge-like tale of reckoning and reluctant transformation. But the execution breathes new life into the formula. Watkinson delivers a textured performance, her arc believable and well-paced. Meanwhile, Juneau Torres as Norah is a revelation – her haunted presence leaves a lasting mark.
‘Pretty Please’ is a chilling morality tale wrapped in blood. Familiar, but undeniably effective. Horror fans, this one’s worth your time.
