Horror Short Review: Scorched (2022)

From horror writer and filmmaker Jaye Adams comes Scorched. A horror short that delivers an impressive narrative and builds strong atmosphere in a little over three minutes.

We’re introduced to a young woman named Lily (Henrietta Norwood) as she works at a desk. Turning off the radio, her mind turns to something else and she pulls out a picture of her with another woman. A picture that is burnt at the edge. As tears come, she apologises out loud that she “should have been more careful”.

It’s clear that something happened to the other woman in the picture and Lily feels responsible somehow.

As she refocuses her mind on her work, she goes to a nearby chest of supplies and it’s here, we get the first scare. A well done reveal of a burnt figure who Lily fails to see as she is checking on the materials she took from the chest.

She’s not alone anymore.

There are numerous horror tropes used to create the horror of this short and most are creepy and effective. The use of a radio is particularly unnerving but the visuals at the end are where this short really impresses. Though a strong lead performance and good sound effects certainly help too.

Overall, it’s a satisfying watch that moves through the gears nicely. Subtle tension to outright jump scares.