Directed by David Heacock and written by Neil Chase, Boneyard Racers is a lively short film that featured a crew of deadly characters in the fifties-nostalgia-inducing setting of a drag race. Starring Thomas Kassian and Ryley Shandro as the teenage lovers of the film, the story of Boneyard Racers felt as though it belonged nestled within an episode of Goosebumps, and overall, it was an enjoyable watch.

Jackie (Ryley Shandro) and Sam (Thomas Kassian) leave a Halloween party early and find themselves on a dark road in the midst of a lover’s quarrel. Their drive is interrupted by a peculiar man that directs them to a nearby event – a drag race – which piques their interest upon arriving. They are introduced to Johnny (Neil Chase), the horned leader of the races, who challenges Sam to a race, which tests Sam’s and Jackie’s relationship, as well as the ability of their muscle car.

Boneyard Racers‘ dialogue and editing sounded and felt like a dream, but with the story being set on Halloween, it was only a matter of time before the film turned into a nightmare for its teen protagonists. All along the way of the descent into the protagonists’ Halloween nightmare, the film featured a rocking soundtrack that was hard to keep from head banging.

A little rockabilly, a little horror, a little life lesson about being an over-confident teen — Boneyard Racers takes these elements to produce 15 minutes of aesthetically dark, but ultimately family-friendly fun. Not too scary but certainly eerie, Boneyard Racers shows that a production team can tell a great story with only 15 minutes and a low budget.

Zombies and devils and shape-shifters, oh my — Boneyard Racers is a great Halloween-themed tale about tragically doomed teen lovers who ended up on the wrong side of the tracks one fateful evening. Boneyard Racers even has a mini bonus scene after its lively ending credits — a final farewell from the devilish ringleader of the movie’s Halloween drag races.

MOVIE RATING — 7 out of 10