Modern-day horror thrillers thrive off of taking difficult, deeply personal traumas and giving them a monstrous makeover – often as a physical entity. Daniel James Dismuke’s Disingenuous takes that sentiment to heart, giving grief and guilt tangible form in what is by-and-large a solid effort.
The murder of Riley’s (Rachel Aladdin) best friend sends her down a spiraling road of guilt, as her conflicted personality manifests itself before her to put her at ease. Unfortunately for her, a mysterious entity lurks in her apartment’s shadows, seeking some semblance of justice.
The film gets top marks for atmosphere right out of the gate. Riley’s apartment makes for an excellent setting, with the dark spaces and surrounding props really helping to sell the idea of the walls essentially closing in on the protagonist. The closeups feel claustrophobic as well, leaving no safe space for the viewer to turn towards. It also helps setup the entity’s presence by creating a sense of anxiety whenever the camera cuts to a wider shot of the room. Aladdin’s performance is also terrific in what is essentially a one-actor showcase.
This is both a blessing and a curse for the short, as certain sequences work better than others. The opening does a fine job making it work, but the latter half (which is where the scares kick in) doesn’t always deliver. There’s a slight disconnect between Riley and the entity, one that’s only furthered by a few odd shot angles. That’s not to say that the sequence isn’t effective, as a score from composer Michael Licata Jr. and a sufficiently creepy costume choice, help elevate it beyond mediocrity.
Inconsistent at times, but still effective thanks to a strong leading performance, Disigenious conjures a dark, sinister ambiance and uses that as a backdrop to study guilt.
