A fear of mannequins is a surprising common fear that seems written into human DNA. Whether it is mistaking them for actual people surprising us or something about their vacant stares, people find them freaky. One would think that being stalked by a mannequin in a creeky Victorian house would only add to the fear factor, but alas it does not in The Mannequin.

Alone in the night, a girl heads towards the restroom in her home, texting on her phone. While in the restroom the lights suddenly turn off and she assumes that her friend, who is coming over, must be here. After hearing a loud bang she peers out from the restroom door to find that the mannequin, that was there moments ago, is gone. As the knob begins to rattle and her anxiety starts to rise, the lights come back on and the noises stop. Leaving the bathroom she is relieved that the mannequin has returned and everything is normal again…or so it seems.

What makes The Mannequin feel so lifeless and forgettable is the oversites. At a point in the short her phone goes to low battery when it seems like was going to call for help, but her phone was at 50% when she is texting her friend seconds ago. The actress seems to be having trouble with being scared, so they illustrate her being afraid by dubbing her breathing really loud and heavy, at times crackling the mic. However, the worst offense of the short is that nothing interesting is done with the mannequin, the antagonist and the namesake of the short. The way the mannequin is used it could have honestly been anything, The Suit of Armor, The Totem Pole, or The BobbleHead, as long as its something that doesn’t move, the titles are interchangeable. In the end aside from a thrilling location and competent cinematography, everything feels rushed, bland, and vacant of any uniqueness of its own.

3 out of 10