Horror Short Review: Off Fleek (2019)

Off Fleek is an Aura Films film written and directed by Steven Norrington. It’s stars Shona O’Sullivan, Nicola Goodchild, Patrick Marlowe, and Phoebe Rawlinson.

Taking the real-life issue of cyber-bulling and using it to tell a horror story, Off Fleek sees the bullied teenager Emma under assault for how she looks.

The imagery of her opening her computer to be assaulted by an influx of nasty messages, posts and more is incredibly effective. That it’s accompanied by a cacophony of voices detailing these horrid messages is even more powerful. It’s great symbolism for the chaos that must go through the mind of those who have suffered this kind of abuse.

The way this is all delivered continues too as Emma appears to change to fit what the vile online trolls are saying. Her hair gets greasy and unkempt, her nose gets bigger, her front teeth become more pronounced and she has an outbreak of spots.

Horrified by what she is, Emma sets about trying to transform herself to violent and sickening results.

What a powerful horror short this is. An incredibly uncomfortable watch that takes a real-world problem, delivers something horrifying, all while having a clear, understandable message. You won’t feel good come the end, but you will be in awe of what was done here.

Outstanding. One of the best horror shorts we’ve ever seen. Check it out yourself below.