Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Meet Billy Chapman, a rock star living in a luxurious mansion far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. He has everything—fame, money, and a beautiful home. Yet, he faces a serious problem: his music has run dry. In search of inspiration, he makes a bold move—he fires his manager and retreats to solitude in his creepy mansion. But instead of finding creativity, he starts hearing a mysterious voice that haunts him.
The short horror film Backmask, created by Chris Baker and Matt Fitch, plays with the classic theme of a “devil’s bargain.” It dives deep into the worlds of music, ambition, and the shadows of greed.
The film begins on a surprisingly cheerful note with a lively piano tune, reminiscent of a vlog by a popular YouTuber. As the camera zooms in on Billy, played by David Shields, we see a handsome young man with long blonde hair, frustrated as he battles to write a new song. He casts aside his manager, Angus (Charlie Rix), and his enthusiastic fans, hoping silence will spark his creativity. But soon, he finds himself lost between what’s real and what’s not in his eerie surroundings.
The cinematography in Backmask is rich with suspense. The camera work keeps you glued to the screen, skillfully shifting between scenes to build a sense of unease around Billy’s quest for inspiration. Though the term “cult” gets mentioned lightly, the film is only 15 minutes long, leaving many aspects about that angle unexplored. The house itself gives off unsettling vibes, and the voice Billy hears is only slightly chilling.
As Billy experiments with different instruments, the film builds tension. It isn’t until the climax that things take a dark turn. The final scene is striking and intense, featuring a sharp contrast between a pristine white suit and splashes of blood.
Though Backmask has the potential to expand into a full-length horror film packed with scares, its brief runtime makes for a compelling, albeit chilling, watch.
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