The short film The Prowler deserves credit for slightly defying expectations, especially regarding home invasion films. It also contains a few tricks regarding point of view, which again thwart the usual home invasion narrative. The short proves that its creator certainly understands well various horror subgenres and has a lot of fun subverting them.

Written, directed, and edited by Christoper Pinero, the short stars Aaron Dominguez. We first meet his unnamed character in the opening minute when he wakes up from a nightmare and then immediately reaches for the bottle. He has several wounds near his left eye, though it’s initially unclear why. Throughout much of the short, we suspect that a prowler lurks outside of his home and may have broken in. He also hears eerie voices echoing down red-lit hallways and in nearby rooms. Between the lightening and sound design, the film certainly establishes the right tone to keep viewers on edge. The entire thing feels like an extended nightmare, a blur between the waking world and the main character’s horrific visions.

However, about halfway into the runtime, it’s unclear if there’s actually an invader inside the home, or if something even more sinister is at play, especially when the main character lingers over black and white photos of two sisters, a clue that plays out much more in the film’s last minute. This all leads to an even more haunting ending.

I will say that the conclusion Pinero builds to is unexpected, and thankfully, it forgoes the usual home invasion tropes. In fact, the short is mostly saved by its ending. Otherwise, we’ve seen much of this before. That said, with The Prowler, Pinero proves that he can establish mood, setting, and tone. It’s also evident he’s aware of horror subgenres and seems to enjoy defying what we’ve come to expect. With a few shorts already under his belt, I look forward to more of his work.