Mark Grabianowski’s “Messiah” is a good little short movie, with a few creepy moments, and an ending that made me want more, which is just about all you can ask from a 9-minute movie.

Courtney (Megan Duffy) is reluctantly getting ready for Halloween, bringing home a pumpkin, and notices a religious pamphlet on her front door. She thinks nothing of it, drops it on a table, and settles in for a night of pumpkin carving/wine drinking. Mostly the latter.

Rachel Langdon ( as a Mysterious Woman) shows up conveniently to talk to her about the pamphlet, and Courtney allows her to come in, which is probably the last mistake she’ll make in her life. Langdon tries too hard to be creepy and ends up just seeming stiff and wooden in her delivery. Duffy as Courtney is a fine actress, but not given much to do other than look out the window or run away from danger.

Joey Kloberdanz, as Courtney’s boyfriend who calls her from his vacation, was a pleasant surprise: natural, and speaking with real emotion. He gets to deliver the surprise ending, and it’s a pretty decent one. Even though it kind of comes out of left field, and I wish there had been a few more hints along the way, it still made an effective ending for what is, essentially, a good short story.

The script by Justin M. McCoy is serviceable, but suffers from some awkward dialogue and transitions. The best thing about this short is the sound design, full of real menace and sharp staccato stings for scares (also used is a pre-recorded scream that I have as a ringtone, which made me chuckle). Nicholas Repetto did the music, and Adam Eyster & Ariel Coleman did the sound mix. Aurally, this short is better than it needs to be.

If “Messiah” shows up at a convention (or digital/online media conglomerate near you) you should check it out. It’s a fun creepy way to spend 0.15 of an hour.

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Messiah Trailer