Horror Short Review: Xanino (2023)

From filmmaker Jaye Adams comes a new horror short to keep you up at night. After terrifying us with Scorched, It’s Not Real, and Incubus, she now re-imagines the changeling tale with Xanino.

Based on true mythological creature, a Xanino is the offspring of a Xana. Unable to rear their young, Xana’s take babies from cribs and swap them out with their own. Then, the human family raises it unknowingly until it reaches the age when it can reveal its true self.

That’s a creepy concept and Jaye Adams does a fantastic job of making it a horrifying reality here. Dropping the viewer right into the action, as a family is dealing with bloody results of a Xanino coming of age. The booming soundtrack, bloody visuals, panicked actors, and hazy touches to certain visuals really grabs the attention.

Then it gets really tense…

Check it out below to find out what happens next and what a Xanino actually is. It’s worth every second of your time as this might be Jaye Adam’s most unnerving work yet. Which speaks volumes as the filmmaker has done quality horror short after quality horror short. An immensely talented person working with immensely talented people, resulting in horror that stays with you long afterwards.