Kelly (Rae Gray) is a young, anxious projectionist at an old movie house. She’s finally done what she’s always talked about doing, and found a super rare copy of an old silent film called The Scroll of Morlok. After dodging overeager coworker Noah (A.J. Danna), she sits down in the empty house to watch this treasure nearly lost to time. In a magic beyond movie magic, the film’s villain – a supernatural force the likes of which we haven’t seen since Nosferatu – is freed from his prison within the film, and Kelly is immersed in the world of her beloved film in a way she could only have dreamed of.

THE SCROLL OF MORLOK is a love letter to the German Expressionist greats – Nosferatu, and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, for example, but with a markedly original and modern twist. The cast and crew obviously put a lot of love into this film, and it practically drips from the moving image itself. The entire cast has varied and intensive experience in film and theatre, and the ensemble feeling shines through with heart. Dyson Posey’s performance as Morlok stands out as being particularly endearing and full of pathos, in a way reminiscent of Karloff as Frankenstein’s Monster. Another stand out great is A.J. Danna, whose presence and enthusiasm make an impact in everything he ever appears in – my only wish was that we’d see more of him!

THE SCROLL OF MORLOK is simple yet impactful, and though it’s wrapped in a veil of horror, it’s a love story with a heart of gold. There’s something beautiful and sad here, and it plays beautifully with lovely art direction and makeup (by Ally McGillicuddy, Caitlyn Brisbin, and Leesa Simone). Simple concept, simple execution, filmic perfection.

10/10 stars