Though the holidays are over, the short film Strange Reflections, set during Christmas time, is still quite an enjoyable film. Written and directed by Jackie Moore, the black and white short builds to a surprising ending and has an aesthetic that resembles an episode of The Twilight Zone.
Moore stars as the unnamed lead who spends the holidays alone. Her character still partakes in the typical holiday traditions, however, like hanging ornaments on a tree. She also holds up a picture of herself with someone else, and you get a sense that it’s a relationship that either failed, or something happened to the other half. The short never explains or gives the lead a backstory, but we know enough, namely that she’s spending the holidays alone.
Speaking of ornaments, one of them gives off a strange reflection whenever the lead looks into it. This, coupled with the black and white, makes the short feel like an episode of The Twilight Zone. There’s a constant sense that something is not quite right with the lead’s reality, as seen in the ornament. I do wish the source of the ornament was somewhat explained more. Where did the character get it, for instance? Why does she keep it on the tree when it constantly shows her unsetting images of herself?
One of the neighbors, also unnamed but played by Tom Hinshaw, tries to connect with Moore’s character, but she largely ignores or isn’t aware of his attempts to make her feel less lonely. All of this leads to quite a startling and effective ending.
I’m personally a fan of holiday horror movies, and Strange Reflections is a solid short that clocks in at under 10 minutes. Though Moore doesn’t give her characters much story, she does create an unsettling setting and a surprising ending. This feels like a twisted holiday episode of The Twilight Zone in all the best ways.
