Little orphan Sophie shows up every evening at a large foreboding mansion to earn a few pennies. Her only job: walk up to the attic and leave a plate of food (mostly consisting of raw meat) for the sole occupant up there, and retrieve the used plate from the night before.  And never ever go beyond the serving table.  Curled up on the attic bed is a hulking, wheezing figure with her back to Sophie. This is Agatha. Agatha is hungry. And she won’t let a little thing like a chain around her foot stop her from eating.

Writer/director Timothy Vandenberg has crafted an 8-minute marvel that creates a growing sense of dread as it inches along towards its final moments.  This is Vandenberg’s first effort, and it is really the product of a master of the craft, not a newbie. He shows more maturity and focus in his choices of angle, placement, and composition than many other more experienced and well-known directors. This guy is one to keep an eye on. 

The acting throughout is top-notch and deserving of major kudos, particularly Louise Ogle as the little orphan girl.  She has a street-wise appearance (like when she silently demands more money from her patron just with a look) but it morphs into a nervous vulnerability the closer she gets to the attic, and the closer she gets to Agatha. This kid is terrific, very natural and believable even as a turn-of-the-century street urchin.

The ending of this short film might not be the most original, but it does have a nice little “gotcha” twist as it wraps up, along with a bittersweet epilogue that’s like a tiny sprinkle of ground-up glass on a pretty marzipan treat.  This movie plays for keeps. 

I never thought the sound of fingernails would give me the creeps.  But, hoo boy, did it ever.

You owe it to yourself to seek this short flick out. You will not be disappointed. So sez Uncle Mike.