HOW TO BE ALONE (2019)

We’ve featured videos from Alter before, a great YouTube channel that curates genre short films from around the world and across the past few years. Today’s video is no exception, featuring 2019’s HOW TO BE ALONE. Written and directed by Kate Trefry (writer on Stranger Things season four and FEAR STREET: PART THREE - 1666), the slice of creepy stars Maika Monroe and Joe Keery (who were already a real life couple by the time this was made) and is a terrific dive into psychological terror with terrific handle on creeping dread.

The plot summary is as follows:

HOW TO BE ALONE follows Lucy, as she struggles to survive an increasingly bizarre and horrifying night. Lucy most secret fears begin to manifest and attack her, she must fight for control of her mind, and ultimately her life.

With Monroe being on screen 99% of the brief 12+ minute runtime, she is truly the engine that drives the film. Along with her work in IT FOLLOWS, THE GUEST, WATCHER, and more, it’s indisputable that she is the reigning queen of horror. HOW TO BE ALONE also boasts great visuals from DP Caleb Heymann and Production Designer Susannah Lowber that heighten the nightmarish vibes that mixes the enchanting and horrific. And this is all boosted with the score by John Kaefer and Michael Dean Parsons which goes from free floating neurosis to cranked up panic.

HOW TO BE ALONE is a well-made and unpredictable short film that is absolutely worth your time. Be sure to follow filmmaker Kate Trefry on Twitter and keep an eye out for what she does next, because it will probably be great.