In sitcoms throughout the 80s, each episode would always wrap up with some sappy message or having characters resolving a conflict. Modern audiences seem to either see these resolutions as unrealistic or they have begun to parody them in shows such as Family Guy and American Dad. This is not to say that they can’t be used properly, in fact, these interactions can be meaningful and important if used well. Killer Confidence puts the sitcom trope to the test when it tries to have the motivational character be a killer disposing of a body in a truly gruesome way.

After being pressured by his friends to go into an abandoned house, Jamie follows a mysterious extension cord leading to the basement. Some music begins to play as a man covered in blood, pretending to sing into a severed arm, emerges from a corner of the basement. In a panic, Jamie runs for the basement door but finds it locked. The man calmly asks Jamie to come over and let him explain the situation. After having a seat the man begins to explain his story to Jamie, and give him some life advice.

If there is one thing that Killer Confidence is a master of, it is tone. What starts as a heavy, nervous descent into the basement becomes a moving experience straight from a man putting a hand through a meat grinder. While the film does cool tricks like desaturating the picture whenever violence occurs, the dialogue between Jamie and the killer is touching. While it is clear that the man is crazy, he is not stupid and he genuinely sees Jamie ending up on the same path if he doesn’t change his ways. Though it begins as a generic horror short it evolves into something creative, interesting, and warm.

8 out of 10