A Family Matter

Director - Richard Russell (Thewlis, Mr. Darkness)

Starring - Heather Bayles (It'll Be Okay, Powerball), James L. Edwards (Bloodletting, Dwellers), and Keith Migra (The Hunting, Life After)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Crime/Drama

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I never know what kind of film is going to be sent my way for review. While I love horror and exploitation, I still find myself reviewing sci-fi, crime dramas, thrillers, and even a few romantic comedies. Most of the time these are films released by filmmakers that I’ve built a relationship with over the years and they are branching out to other genres. Filmmaking is story telling and I respect filmmakers who are open to trying other genres. A few weeks back director Richard Russell reached out to review his newest short A Family Matter. I agreed to check it out but I knew absolutely nothing about it. Like always, I want to thank Richard for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a father and his two sons who have a woman tied and beaten in their garage. We learn that she is the ex-girlfriend of one of the sons but said something negative about his late mother. The father, upon hearing of this, brings his boys together and beats her before placing her in a shallow grave that is big enough for two. 

      A Family Matter was not what I was expecting but it wasn’t a bad short at all. In fact, I really liked it. I was expecting something along the lines of a traditional horror film. Instead, A Family Matter is more of a dark drama but it works. It was something I was not expecting and it shows that Richard Russell is a versatile filmmaker able to tackle different genres once he applies himself to it. The acting in this one is solid. I really liked the casting and it was nice to see James L. Edwards take center stage. He’s a fantastic actor and he brings some intensity to the short. The rest of the cast is just as fantastic with absolutely no weak links to be seen here. The story for this one is a little predictable but not in a bad way. The film doesn’t hide the fact that we know what is going to happen to the young lady. However, the reason it’s happening is never revealed until the last leg of the film. While it is short the film is still able to draw you in and hold your attention without wasting your time. It’s very well written and executed. Finally, this is not a bloody flick. While we do get a little blood and light make-up effects that is the extent of it. Overall, A Family Matter may not be a new short you can add to your Halloween viewing but it is something I would highly recommend checking out once the season has passed. It was a fantastic film with an amazing cast. I highly recommend it.