Horror Short Film “Midnight Clear” | ALTER

An unstable husband forces his family to celebrate a macabre and deadly Christmas.
“Midnight Clear” by Joe Russo
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Horror Short Film “Midnight Clear” | ALTER
/ watchalter

[@umjrcl1311]

you know what, THIS is actually what REAL horror is.

[@MarvelArmanda]

Agree and umji is what we called real beauty.. 😀

[@connorcoltrane1777]

You said it. No cheap attempts to startle the audience, no gratuitous gore or sex for shock value, and an air of dread that gets under your skin and churns your stomach.

[@alicelu5691]

some christmas are so cute this is just real horror

[@nona7163]

It’s not horror

[@sgoff4168]

For you

[@thenandnow111]

I had so many endings going on in my head. I didn't expect that at all. I actually thought he was a sadistic father. But he did it out of love. Christmas early and their lives ended with a bang. A great short film Alter.

[@MrCaworrell1]

I belive this is a cinematic first time twist. Great job. I was waiting on a big kill seen, but instead I was killed with that twist in the end.

[@JoeRussoFilm]

chris worrell so glad it impacted you so much!!

[@xcg9408]

no buddy I think you are missing it, that big mushroom in the sky, that one is not an edible mushroom. If that's not a big kill scene for you then I'd fear to imagine what would be.

[@nadiaho-sue6388]

Agreed! I was waiting for a scene where the camera shows the dead bodies of the real family that lived in the house, surprise murder Christmas at the neighbors lol

[@katekennedy2320]

I love the twist. Then I finally realized , I judged the whole situation by seeing the mother cry .Assuming the worst of the father. Never judge a situation by tears.

[@paulavirkkula1339]

ALTER ❤❤❤

[@mirandaellor4884]

Oh wow! That was really good Work! So sad😢😢😢 First i thought the Father was mad, but he just wanted to make the last Minutes of their Life as wonderfull as possible

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Thanks!!! Merry Christmas!

[@robertfrate5603]

Atomic bomb ? But shs crying why because She know that they are going to die ?

[@thenandnow111]

@@robertfrate5603 Out of love. Listening to their children singing. An explsive emotional ending.

[@jitendarmehta5067]

Cd

[@wleon4068]

Nuclear Apocalypse. Very clever ending.

[@JoeRussoFilm]

W Leon thanks!!

[@notnotness4765]

Yeah, way to go.

[@naturaltruth1596]

I don't read the comments first because some assh*les just have to give it away....

[@HellBrat]

@@naturaltruth1596 No shit. People use the comment section to talk about the video. How cruel.

[@TheLastCrow5150]

They also use the comment section for comfort while watching the videos

[@Noahjk777]

Bro that freaking sucks no wonder she was crying this whole time

[@europaaugust9598]

Brooooo that sucks bro how inconvienient. I would literally cry if the world ended brooo it would suck bro.

[@rachel-vv5xz]

EuropaAugust Yeah bro like bro yeah bro bro bro bro

[@europaaugust9598]

@@rachel-vv5xz Yeah like bro bro bro bro bro!

[@oskeymccaffrey4667]

Bruh..whats goin on here bruh?? Bruh..

[@connorcoltrane1777]

Did anyone else think on second viewing that half the time the father is smiling, he looks like he's trying not to cry?

[@justanotherandy1355]

horror isn't all about jumpscares and monsters. thank you for this amazing piece.

[@Name-xs3bd]

100% was not ready for the twist. Honestly that was incredible, all around perfect hints and that led the mind completely away from that concept of ending.

[@SilentEchoes91]

I would have went and just held them kids in a cozy group hug as soon as I found out it was going to happen to us next.

[@europaaugust9598]

they had like a hour they could have fucking left

[@SilentEchoes91]

@@europaaugust9598 yeah they we oild still be doomed im sure. Those bombs were literally all over the place. If that really happened, chances are we wouldn't see if coming. There are some extremely huge bombs in the governments of countries including ours.

[@SilentEchoes91]

@@europaaugust9598 sorry, i didn't mean to write that much. But it's true.

[@europaaugust9598]

@@SilentEchoes91 they knew it was coming. They just gave up hope.

[@SilentEchoes91]

@@europaaugust9598 we don't know how much time they had but it just shos up quite soon. They might have had to speed out of state, or maybe it would cover at least half the country. Alter likes to leave things for the imagination.

[@autumhazelleave]

OMG that got me. I was right about her cheating but I thought he was going to kill his family not world ending. Wow that was 👍

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Thanks!!! Merry Christmas!

[@maverickaces3745]

I don’t think she cheated I think she wanted the gun to kill her self so that’s why he had to change the password for the gun

[@JoeRussoFilm]

@@maverickaces3745 You're both right. She did cheat in the past... and that's why you think The Father is doing what he's doing, but she really is trying to find the gun to end things... faster.

[@maverickaces3745]

@@JoeRussoFilm You know looking back at the video 2:21 it makes more sense that she did cheat and yea

[@JoeRussoFilm]

MaverickAces glad it worked for you now!

[@heavenb.7990]

Me: comes to the comment section just Incase the short film is terrifying KZbin comments : SPOILERS Me: f u c c

[@hendrianjayyy7395]

Yeah and now i never read comments in alter before i watch the film

[@leahdugan427]

Same...😔

[@gunjitkumar]

Same

[@Turtle9815]

Should've watched it first idiot.

[@adambreaux5033]

This was horror at its greatest,there is a greater chance of this happening than running into a leather face or a serial killer.I have chills right now

[@chubbycharles6008]

The beauty of this short film has to be in the fact you relive the whole thing again from a totally different perspective once you know the ending. Absolutely wonderful storytelling

[@tallspartan117]

santa was done with presents and is now sending bombs

[@daMEGatron]

This is an under appreciated comment.

[@datboi9734]

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas you ungrateful little shits!

[@poopfartlmao2986]

lmao very funny. 10/10

[@europaaugust9598]

69 likes? It's appreciated by God at least.

[@ninahlt91]

He upgraded from coals huh

[@brentage5000]

Moral of the story: Never stop giving your kids happy memories

[@SimplyASweetHeart]

Wet memories they died

[@zydration3538]

And don't go be with them in the 15 second window before your impending death.

[@henrikthorsen5971]

That ending .. sure didn´t see that coming!

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Thanks!!! Merry Christmas!

[@slykitsune2267]

Neither did the kids.

[@discrd7269]

Okay, that hit me so hard... That end... I wasnt expecting it at all... Awesome job.

[@munderpool]

Nice twist! Bloody depressing till the end.

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Tommy Bennett Thanks!! Glad it resonated!!

[@howmuchmorecanItake]

Right? Then it's even more depressing! Fantastic work, this!

[@nadiaho-sue6388]

The description and the first few minutes of Midnight Clear give the impression that the father is derranged and possibly holding his family hostage. I enjoyed the film

[@reneebrady8389]

Wow! That took me on a totally different ride than I expected! Heartbreaking!

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Renee Brady glad it resonated!!

[@reneebrady8389]

@@JoeRussoFilm It sure did resonate! Fantastic vid all around, great acting, visuals, lighting, everything was spot on! Kudos to all involved!

[@JoeRussoFilm]

@@reneebrady8389 Really appreciate the kind words!! Happy Holidays!

[@reneebrady8389]

@@JoeRussoFilm Happy Holidays to you as well, Joe!

[@lakekrane]

I don’t remember when was the last time I watched the show that was as creatively made as this one . Such a touching and sad ending.

[@OneandonlyToniSpicer]

Wow. I started out feeling upset because I thought the dad lost it about her cheating and was going to kill them all, but it was the end of the world...totally changed my perspective.

[@justasinglesummon3912]

This actually scares me on the way its also a very propable event to happen

[@JoeRussoFilm]

That was the idea!!!

[@Novarcharesk]

I think you mean possible, not probable

[@mrdoggo3569]

possible, not probable

[@nicholas4415]

Naw we'll be good

[@nicholas4415]

@@Novarcharesk righf

[@lizamccracking8616]

actually scarier than any monster story out there. what a crazy, terrifying ending

[@denisse4648]

This is honestly so amazing. I cried. I thought he was gonna kill the family but that was the complete opposite. This is fantastic.

[@miketurner8624]

I thought hubby turned into Psycho-dad! I was wrong! Nukes...you gotta love em! Thanks ALTER!!

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Mike turner - glad the twist got you!!

[@miketurner8624]

@@JoeRussoFilm Yes it did! Got yo admit; didn't see that coming! Good story! Hope to hear more from you!

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Mike turner - hope to give you more. Let Alter know!!

[@matycee]

lead had a great jim carrey, ryan reynolds splash of nick cage thing going on. was great.... bravo.

[@JoeRussoFilm]

matycee - glad you dug it! And I agree about the lead, Kurt!

[@ashelyjames2478]

😂👌🏽

[@sandrakiefler4649]

@matycee Spot on👌😅

[@bigk8967]

y'all rly deserve more credit ur channel is so amazing

[@sarahpusey9052]

Agreed! I always love seeing a new Alter video flick posted!

[@lilynevaeh6600]

God when I watched it the first time, not what I was expecting at ALL, but this is what actual horror is, when u watch it a second time it all makes sense

[@phillipayoung10]

Wow!! WTW!! This was a piece of film right here. OMG!! ALTER...keep doing your thing!!!

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Thanks!!! Merry Christmas!

[@blackpaw29]

Damn, did not see that coming. Last 30 seconds completely changed the whole theme. A+ to all involved.

[@bobbytheblade2550]

Like I'd be spending my final moments forcing x-mas cheer. "Kids, we're all going to die today, so let's all eat ice cream and go break everybody's windows with rocks - haha"

[@klwm6432]

One of the BEST FILMS yet! That twist ending rocked!!

[@davewilson4058]

What an ending. Completely unexpected. I had the wrong idea about what was really happening right up until the bomb went off. Another ALTER Gem.

[@MaylocBrittinorum]

OK, the ending caught me off-guard. I was thinking the whole Christmas thing was just inside the father's head and in reality it was all a gruesome murder scene or something like that but no, it's Doomsday my dudes.

[@gothgirl4evr881]

OMG😳😲 I'm rarely ever caught off guard while watching a movie so the fact that this is just a short and did what a full length film usually fails at doing is amazing. VERY GOOD! 🤘👩‍🎤

[@mohsinalvi2095]

That was nuclear Bomb..?? OMG..

[@tannerbates8652]

This thumbnail is criminal because it gives away probably one of the best twists I've ever seen with one of these shorts.

[@jaredprovost2002]

I wonder how they knew the nuke was coming...

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Sincerely, Tesh - what she said!

[@turdferguson7112]

Because America would know when any nuke, anywhere, would be launched.

[@cthulhu4607]

@@turdferguson7112 Ha!

[@turdferguson7112]

@@cthulhu4607 what's funny? You don't think so?

[@Schatten2712]

​@@turdferguson7112 I mean... is not to be mean or anything but they could barely detect an aircraft kidnapped by farmers... just saying

[@RavenVargas27]

Holy s**t at first I thought he was going to kill her for cheating wasn't expecting end of the world scenario

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Raven Vargas glad we got ya!

[@RavenVargas27]

@@JoeRussoFilm yup got me good hehehe, brilliantly done piece of work thanks

[@Heythere-dw7qd]

I love how alter interprets the notion of horror in the most subtle yet intriguing way, your short movies often if not always require thinking and I think that delivering this kind of very intelligent plots is so much better than the typical horror movies with jump-scares and “haunted” houses.

[@larrenlistens]

Okay...wow - I thought I knew what was happing but NOPE! Utterly heartbreaking. Got me all misty-eyed. Incredible piece!! This is why I love being ALTRed!

[@mariarose616]

Bloody good and totally different from the norm...it was so believable and tragically it can happen. Well done!!

[@ahzar4384]

They knew that a nuclear war had just started, and they only had a matter of hrs left. That would explain the mothers constant tears, and father going bonkers to make it the best "last Christmas" for the kids, although it sounds like there was some animosity between the parents due to the mother cheating in the past.

[@doyleperkins4916]

The suspense is killing...the denouement is a TRUE UNRAVELING...

[@quentinquale1694]

Always love when a movie mind-fucks you so you don't see the ending coming. The realism makes it so terrifying and sad at the same time.

[@sanchagaspard]

How did you manage to make something so very sweet and disturbing at the same time??? Bravo!!!

[@cassie.k007]

Watching this my second time after three years later, and it’s still my fave short film. I think about this film randomly at times, and it’s the first one I think of when I think of your channel! The twist at the end got me 3 years ago when I first watched it, and even knowing what it is now was still shocking.

[@monikas6485]

First I thought it was a Horror short about domestic abuse but then it turned to a family trying to enjoy their last Christmas jeez that plot twist for me

[@Rashmiranjanswain1]

True horror, no ghost or any thing else. Really appreciate the short.

[@Dawn82]

Well, that was an unexpected ending!!! Love it!! Great job to the production/writer. 🎄🌠😢

[@watsucht]

That was a rollercoaster of feelings, first I thought she was dead and it was the first xmas thereafter, then I was sure he was gonna kill her for cheating and showing her what she had lost/caused, then that ending.... great short film

[@luciusmaerz5183]

Anybody else feel it's more sad than scary

[@LS_777]

Yeah because its not exactly what we just watched.

[@belgrifex]

Oh geeze, im rewatching it and the part where she tried to get the gun really got me.

[@Kimi-nk5ix]

i definitely like the twist at the end better than the idea of him killing his family

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Kimi Yamamoto we hoped you’d think that too!!

[@quickfacts8943]

Ok, didn't expect that coming. I re-watched it again and it changed the entire perspective of the film.

[@jasonhurd4379]

I read a short story very similar to this once. The main guy ended up sitting on the front porch holding hands with his mother, waiting for the end to come. Sad. EDIT: Also reminiscent of the Night Gallery episode titled 'The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes'.

[@fuhque4009]

What's the title of that short story?

[@brikettle7146]

I'm blown away This one got multiple watches out of me and a couple of tears. However, I'd want to be holding my babies. It's hard enough hiding the the truth of such terrible inevitable events from them, but if I were to know I was going to become dust, I'd want my babies in my arms no matter how hard it was to deal with mentally.

[@jasonhurd4379]

Yes, but if you did that the kids would know something was wrong. Their peace would be disturbed. This way, they're happy right up until the end, and when the end comes they won't even know what hit them. Part of being a parent is sacrificing your own selfish desires for the good of your children. That's precisely what the parents in this film did.

[@slykitsune2267]

You're not the only one blown away.

[@JamesParker1998]

@@slykitsune2267 I thought considering the end of the video. "Blown away" is an interesting choice of words.

[@zydration3538]

​@@jasonhurd4379yeah, because hugging your children on Christmas Eve for 10 seconds would totally alarm them...

[@johnfritz4096]

I did not see that coming. Truly horrific.

[@roxxibode9436]

I can not get enough of there stories 😭 They seem to become better and better like I am reading them from a very large book that alters my brain while I read. Many of these stories could be placed together like the new movie coming out, from the old book, scary stories to read in the dark. 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@Slayability_5]

omg that was....unexpected. All of the stories on this chanell is so unexpected. I like this.

[@sarahpusey9052]

Wait! What?! Oh man I wasn't expecting this ending! Very nicely done 👍👌 enjoyed!

[@antisocialpotato7631]

0:45 When you don't get anything for christmas

[@YuzuruA]

The delivery of the lines at 2:00 was just for the audience, it is incongruent with the way he acted in the ending.

[@teas9892]

This is really good. The build-up and the twist was fantastic.

[@chrisl8277]

*They had us in the first half- not gonna lie*

[@tumblingdown]

Very well done, epic twist & the end was actually very romantic.

[@jpelletier03]

My god, I did NOT see that end coming. Well done!!

[@mnirwin5112]

Interesting summary ... Unless I missed something major, I don't see this as an unstable man forcing his family to celebrate "a macabre and deadly Christmas." It sounds to me as if he and his wife knew what was coming and wanted to keep it from their children until the end, so the children could have at least one final genuine Christmas Eve.

[@KINEMAFACTORYTV]

Ending scene is powerful! 👍

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Glad to hear it!

[@Jesselaj]

Awesome. I was annoyed most of the way through for this being cliche and lazy, but...I was being played like a theramine. Nicely done.

[@Oscarlopez12456]

I'm just coming upon this and my first thought was he killed the husband and he was gonna end up killing them but the end was very sad tbh didn't think about that one

[@leighmerlin]

Wow, that was superb, and one hell of a twist. Going to have to watch it again now.

[@TheDedFace]

NOT what i expected. You need to put a warning on these videos... 'May cause viewer to call out of work and binge watch for hours. Rehabilitation may be required.' You're paying my doctor bills, Alter...

[@hayleyjohnson9505]

Wow this is not what I thought it was gonna be at all. Well done Alter!! Well done!!

[@MrHuNTeR_exe]

Suuuuch a good ending. They always catch me out

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Thanks!!! Merry Christmas!

[@MrHuNTeR_exe]

Joe Russo Merry Christmas to you also 👍🏻

[@girligirlish1]

Holy shit i did not expect that ending! I love how we were lead to think something else would happen.

[@amazingworldaroundus]

Really wonderful job. Celebration in the midnight and couple's behavior led us to think that this is crime horror. Awesome and real twist in the end, makes us to rewatch the film once again. Hats off to the team💯❤💯❤💯❤

[@keelanmcghee1315]

This is beyond psychological horror, its emotional horror

[@amyntut]

We all probably thought the same thing was going to happen . Either way , very sad . And it would be a moment like this when you would truly appreciate your time with loved ones and wish you had more of it .

[@TornadoFilms_]

Once you watched you are forever Alterd

[@jheart8031]

This was well done. I definitely didn’t expect the ending.

[@bakkels]

It's real life scary that this could be a realistic scenario. Again.

[@teemick7594]

Similar premise to the movie, "Last Night" with Don McKeller and Sandra Oh but this was even more haunting because you didn't know for sure what was happening until the end. Heartbreaking to watch a second time-gives everything new meaning.

[@truthhurts63]

Never told anyone this before, but this made me think of it so strongly. When I was18 years old I didn't have any children..actually I was still a virgin. I had a dream one night and it was such a realistic dream and I remembered it clearly..I usually don't remember my dreams so vividly..not even scary ones. I was in a park and I had my two children with me. Somehow I just knew they were mine. One was a little boy about 5 years old and he was standing beside me while I pushed my daughter on one of those baby swings..the black ones with leg holes..she looked to be about a year old. I heard screaming and when I turned to look in the distance I could see a bomb mushroom..looked exactly like the one in this movie short. I remember screaming and trying to cover my children with my body. Grabbing my baby from the swing and trying to lay over them. Such a strange dream. I could never figure out what or why I had the dream. I have a 3 year old son now...and the thought of that dream terrifies me even more.

[@biteme9371]

This was great! It had all the elements that make a perfect short horror. I assumed the dad was insane and about to kill them all- did not see that ending coming at all.

[@fredosleepswiththefishes]

wow, really impressed with this film, nice twist at the end, beautifully done.

[@rosannacellini2158]

Wow, that was quite a twist. Just when you think daddy's not wrapped to tight, then comes the "Bomb" 🤯🤯

[@kenzohernando3868]

Im not gonna lie, I thought that you were legit the joe russo as in Anthony and Joe Russo of MCU fame. Actually, if you are though, I wouldn't be surprised as I see a lot of the same elements of expectation subversion (in a good way, not the last jedi type way), playing with commonly placed stereotypes and overall great directions. One of the best of alter.

[@JoeRussoFilm]

Kenzo Hernando - thank you for such high praise. I am such a fan of The Russo Bros, despite constantly being in their shadow, so I really appreciate the comparison. So happy the short worked for you!

[@ninahlt91]

This was deep. I honestly thought the husband was abusing the wife but the ending was even scarier

[@stonebrix168]

Out of all the videos on the channel, this one hit me the hardest, idk why.

[@dorischu5597]

Because with Trump it has 99% chance of happening.

[@djmars1983]

@@dorischu5597 you were saying it's not going to be Trump I know this is a message coming from two years ago but Joe Biden is more likely to cause a nuclear war

[@citizensguard3433]

God damn ittttt...... the kids being so happy and excited opening presents while so much wrong is going on... and the mom being so upset but seeing a flicker of something close to not for half a second seeing her children happy... it’s so heart breaking... fuck... that scene was so well done........ why did this effect my so much.? Fuck. I gotta go lie down a while.

[@paulziolo9241]

Very, very good! Having grown up under the shadow of nuclear Armageddon I wish the likelihood of such an event had disappeared, but unfortunately ...

[@djmars1983]

I do not nuclear weapons are eventually the ultimate no button if we take away nuclear weapons we would see war on such an unprecedented scale

[@djmars1983]

Sadly they are the ultimate necessary evil

[@Jojomo564]

I didn't see that ending coming! Good work.

[@bearbrown2597]

Nice twist at the end, didn't pick that - well done!!

[@idiotsponges7987]

In the Philippines, we open presents on christmas eve

[@jenniferwells2291]

Germany too

[@lalalove4u905]

WOW...THAT WAS UNEXPECTED...GREAT FILM, THANK YOU!

[@bunnymcfluffyclouds4752]

What a twist! Did not expect that ending!