This quick bite centers on a young woman who receives a mysterious package one evening plainly and ominously marked with a “DO NOT OPEN” message. She calls a friend for their input on what course of action she should take with this strange box (since just leaving it alone isn’t an option) and after a stern warning to not open the box, would you be *shocked* to learn she doesn’t listen? 

Any instance of a scary box with contents shrouded in mystery can’t help but evoke the infamous package delivery from Se7en for me, but to put that aside and take Do Not Open as it is leaves a pretty okay few minutes. It’s a bit too well-lit for my taste, like a vaguely spooky sitcom Halloween episode, but at least it focuses on the suspense of the situation itself instead of jump scares and the like.

5 out of 10 Mysterious Packages

Also, if you’re into giving shorts of varying lengths a shot there are a few others to peruse from the same writer/director as Do Not Open at the short film tag below–specifically Woman in White, Not Alone, Outbreak, and Smiling Woman. There are definitely worse ways to spend a few minutes at a time so have at them!