Candy Skin, the newest short from Ottawa-based Red Razor Pictures presents some effective practical body horror on a very modest budget. Written and directed by Kyle Martellacci, who has worked with Red Razor Pictures on a number of previous projects, Candy Skin follows David Yersin (Renny Jachowicz) who is shown early on receiving a serum for an unnamed condition. After he begins taking this serum, thing immediately take a turn for the worst, as he wakes to a world devoid of life and the reality dawns on him that he is beginning to deteriorate, both mentally and physically. Now he must search the barren landscape for any signs of civilization and an answer for what as happened, as he is stalked by a mysterious figure resembling a doctor in scrubs.

Candy Skin features a fairly straightforward narrative with enough ambiguity to leave the viewer wondering what is real and what is a figment of David’s deteriorating mind. The short shines largely due to an effective soundtrack that combines synths and harsh industrial tones to drive home the atmosphere of the scene. There is also some really great body horror, with some of the wholly practical effects leaving me cringing for all the right reasons. There are few characters, and even fewer character arcs, so Renny Jachowicz is left to carry the film’s dramatic tension on his shoulders, which he does a decent job at. The acting feels b-grade at times, but is entirely serviceable and doesn’t serve as a distraction.

Thus far the film has received 21 official selections at horror festivals around the world and is still making its way around the festival circuit, but will hopefully see it’s full release to the public in the not too distant future. If you enjoy bleak body horror that is more heavy on atmosphere than dialog and characters, then Candy Skin is worth looking out for. Until then, enjoy the trailer.