It Draws Closer is a horror short film with a runtime of 4 minutes and 30 seconds, directed by Joshua David Matthews, and featured in several international festivals.

A short that, obviously, has low production costs, yet in just a few minutes welcomes you into that bedroom: thanks to the lighting that creates a darkness enveloping the space around the protagonist, it makes you feel the need to check for yourself what might be hiding in the shadows.

Devoid of words and dialogue because they are almost unnecessary it manages to convey a sense of inevitability: the monster she drew will always appear, with each page turned. The protagonist, now aware of this fate, resigns herself with a final glance before being dissolved and trapped by the creature, which was born from her and her drawings.

Essentially, it’s hard to criticize the film: the monster is cleverly designed, visible in the shadows beneath the sheets, where thanks to the absence of direct lighting and compromising angles it appears even more real.

The short skillfully plays with classic horror clichés: the belief that the monster is behind you, only to make it disappear and increase the protagonist’s sense of fear and oppression.

It successfully builds pathos and an emotional rollercoaster thanks to its precise, surgical editing, which highlights the protagonist’s most oppressive moments, further enhanced by low frequency sound effects.

It’s a short film that definitely deserves appreciation, showcasing significant stylistic and directorial skill.

But most importantly, it reminds us not to be consumed by our own inner monster.