Photo by: The Lewis Brothers
Written by: TiShea Wilson, Managing Editor
There’s something about a horror movie with a simple, terrifying premise that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Now imagine a monster that hunts you when you get scared. Suddenly, keeping your cool becomes a matter of life and death.
That’s the idea behind Remain Calm, a horror comedy short that has been making serious waves on YouTube. Released on October 12, the approximately 14 minute film had surpassed 5.5 million views by October 21, proving that sometimes a great horror concept is all it takes to get people talking. The short also features a cast that makes it especially worth a look, bringing together comedy favorites Pauly Shore and Nick Swardson with genre veteran Doug Jones.
Written and directed by Jake Lewis, from a story developed with his brother Sam Lewis, Remain Calm follows Matt and Erwin, two gas station employees whose ordinary night shift takes a frightening turn. Their evening changes when a mysterious government agent warns them about Mr. Frett, a creature that targets people showing signs of anxiety, stress or fear. In other words, the more frightened you become, the greater the danger.
It’s a clever setup that leaves plenty of room for both suspense and dark humor. After all, staying calm is easy enough when everything is going according to plan. Trying to do it when a monster is hunting you? That’s a different story entirely. The premise also gives the short a surprisingly relatable angle. Anxiety is something most people understand, making the idea of turning that feeling into a literal threat all the more unsettling.
Pauly Shore stars as Matt, with Nick Swardson playing Erwin. Both actors are well known for their comedic work, including Shore’s Encino Man and Swardson’s Grandma’s Boy. Seeing them step into a horror-comedy built around a genuinely disturbing creature makes for an interesting combination. Doug Jones, meanwhile, plays the Grin Man. Horror and fantasy fans will recognize him from Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, among many other genre favorites. Kevin Keppy also stars as Mr. Frett, the creature responsible for turning an ordinary work shift into a nightmare.
Behind the scenes, the Lewis brothers lead the creative vision, with Don Ohmer and Max Ostroff serving as producers and Eric Scullin composing the music. Practical creature effects by Gorgazma help bring the film’s central threat to life. It’s a combination of comedy talent, creature work and a straightforward horror hook that gives Remain Calm its own identity.
The numbers alone make Remain Calm worth paying attention to. At more than 5.5 million views in just over a week, the short has found a substantial audience in a remarkably short time. Which could mean the story may not end with those 14 minutes. According to Dread Central, the project is being shopped as a potential feature length film and has attracted industry interest. While a full length adaptation has not been officially confirmed, the premise certainly leaves room for a bigger story. A feature could explore the origins of Mr. Frett, expand the world surrounding the creature, and introduce new characters forced to confront the same frightening rule. The challenge would be holding on to the tight pacing and dark humor that make the short work.
Whether Remain Calm ultimately becomes a feature length film remains to be seen. For now, its rapid rise on YouTube is a reminder that an original idea, a well chosen cast and a focused creative vision can go a long way. And if the short’s central rule leaves viewers with one lasting thought, it might be this: The next time someone tells you to remain calm, you may want to take them seriously.
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