As a fan of a good period piece who has a spot in my heart for Westerns, I’ll say Umbra doesn’t disappoint. It is short, sweet, and to the point. The acting is solid, the story is awesome, and despite a couple of gripes I have, this is a fun short flick definitely worth a watch!

In 1800’s America, the sun has vanished and night is eternal across the nation. Along with the never-ending night, banshees have descended on man. The Connor Family is desperately close to a rumored safe house as they trek across the American West seeking sanctuary from the Banshees.  

Umbra is incredibly atmospheric thanks to its simplicity. It takes place in the middle of America’s western desert. No fancy sets are needed and the film is shot in darkness so lighting requirements are minimal. But the short glimpses of the desert through candle glow and illuminating the faces of the actors with only the flicker of a flame was a lovely choice that created stunning shots. Though short, it packs a big punch in the way of sound. There is a soft lull of crickets as violins lead you on a journey of anticipation. There’s also some a cappella singing at the beginning and end of the film which gives the film an element of sadness and desperation that touches the soul.

The cast was a joy to watch. Austan Wheeler, Sarah Ogan, and Kailee McFerran nailed their roles as Elijah, Abigail, and Mercy (respectively). The age difference didn’t seem apparent enough for it to be immediately clear that they are a father, mother, and daughter, but some disbelief can be suspended since their performances were so strong. 

Umbra does a good job of building tension. At first, you never see the mysterious Banshees that are destroying man one by one and this allows the imagination to run wild – which is one of horror’s greatest (and most subtle) weapons. There is nothing more powerful than the audience’s imagination and this allowed for a lot of anxiety to build up around the creatures. I wish it had stayed that way, though, since when they do reveal the banshees plaguing mankind I was a bit underwhelmed by their appearance. It would have been much more frightening to imagine what these death dealers looked like as we heard their evil cries in the night. 

At least Kailee McFerran commands the scene with her wistful performance and at around 17 minutes, Umbra is worth checking out for anyone who has ever wondered just what kinds of things go bump in the night. 

Want to check out Umbra for yourself? Check out the film at the link below!

7 out of 10