Horror Short Film "Return to Sender" | ALTER | Starring Allison Tolman | Online Premiere

[@russellgoldman9459]

Hey everyone! My name's Russell, I wrote and directed this little movie about the things we can't explain that end up worming their way into our brains. Allison and the whole production & post teams crushed it! So excited to read all your comments, questions, theories, and delivery scams of your own :)

[@AnnaDurini]

Love concept, rythm and performance, too! Great ❣️ Hope You 'll share soon other shorts of Yours ✨

[@MMAGamblingTips]

This was amazing 🤩 It was very Black Mirror-esque. I have a few theories. Putting all of her information through the phone and Internet ordering items and the AA group. The people on the Zoom knew her face and name and struggles and was using this to make her think she’s crazy. Sending the security cameras to watch and toy with her. Just a theory first time watching.

[@bensweiss]

@@MMAGamblingTips As a ACOA and having sat in similar meetings her introductory participation in the AA meeting came off as too little on details of her personal life. I get the film maker has little time to convey a message and takes shortcuts. So I think your point on the meeting possibly being a scam, I think with the reveal at the end it clearly was, is correct. I also thought to myself, having visited Costa Rica none of the houses I was in had wallpaper like she had-and I get that she was world building her part of the universe.

[@bensweiss]

I enjoyed the creep factor of your words being posted second after mentioning them.

[@MMAGamblingTips]

@@bensweiss agree on all this 👍🏼

[@sunkissedmami9233]

The nonchalant way customer service said “You’re not” had me crying. It can be that way at times especially if they are having a bad day.

[@kaiyotee2475]

Exactlyyy...

[@Msmary98-98]

It’s the way they end the conversation abruptly by saying is there anything else I can help you with ? It irritates me to no end

[@jazmynbrown6820]

After dealing with rude customers, you’d act the same too.

[@sunkissedmami9233]

@@jazmynbrown6820 totally understand I deal with it on a daily basis😂

[@morguenmorguen6862]

It was really sinister in context. I definitely approached that line from the other end, though. I was envious that a single "you're not" was enough to end the conversation. I usually just repeat it to people until they decide to walk away from me. P:

[@russellgoldman9459]

UPDATE: After reading the comments we've added closed captioning so you can watch the film with subtitles! Thank you everyone for watching and loving our movie: I've SO enjoyed reading everyone's wonderful takes..

[@Nicole-no9ig]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

[@creationzikaz4836]

You had such a good premise but the end was so predictable, I hope you work on this again with a less obvious ending.

[@MrsTessWren]

KIND!!

[@marziamartignoni5585]

Heyvmr Russell!! This flick is gold!! So happy to have enjoyed under the blanketvon a windy, cold night....🌃

[@-LouLaBelle-]

Amazing thank you! I have schizophrenia and sometimes I just can’t hear films over the voices 😂 so annoying, the captions are super helpful!

[@chrysanthemums1912]

that glass breaking had me jumping a mile into the air. this was not only a fantastic storyline, but i know what it feels like to be paranoid sometimes and i feel like this short film does a brilliant job at capturing that feeling and handing it to the viewers

[@Pinku-Chan]

Ikr I nearly had a heart attack.

[@danielhubley3335]

SAME lmao I’m in my car enjoying my smoke it’s dead silent and tense af and that shit happens I threw my phone across the car 😂😂😂 Edit: Sober me ….why would I watch this AT night in a CAR while smoking WEED?!??! It was like I was asking for an anxiety attack 🤣🤣🤣

[@lipglossjunky73]

One detail that really got to me was the wallpaper that was coming undone at the end. Her sister told her focus on what you can control and the wallpaper was part of Julia’s plan that night as part of what she could control. She just lost control of everything at that point. The isolation was palpable. The zoom gave me vibes of when people were struggling with addiction during the pandemic and support was limited. Great job! My heart broke for her.

[@ElvenSailor_Main]

Idk one of the last things I would do is creepily break into my sisters house when she already has been paranoid and worried 💀

[@pigtailswithbows]

Hope this isn't weird but love your makeup!

[@tonypendragon7000]

Why was Tat banging on the door like that and not announcing herself? Haha

[@burlykim132]

I don’t believe she was

[@carmensaify]

So this feels like a study of paranoia, anxiety, & lonliness/isolation MANY are feeling amplified & expanded by modern day triggers. Has a Twilight Zone/Hitchcock feel- good job 👏🏽 I too think this eas perfect as a short.

[@williebeamish5879]

Yup. Couldn't agree more! Trauma based conditioning at it's finest, and as a society, we allow and even encourage it.

[@jasmineduquette5051]

yup i agree! i totally enjoyed this but felt it on an unnerving level all at the same time!

[@mikesampaga8554]

Totally agree people not affected have a hard time not grasping the severity of it😢

[@j-rocd9507]

I had time now!

[@rickfromhell]

She wasn't paranoid, she was really being stalked. A study? stfu lol

[@christiannagrace1]

she’s so good i was surprised to see her in a short film but this was awesome she was perfect for this one

[@CloudMountainJuror]

Allison Tolman is incredible, and deserves so much more lead acting work.

[@wakylaugh]

She reminds me of Melanie Lynskey

[@pattywolford]

Where have i seen her before? I immediately recognized her.

[@CloudMountainJuror]

@@pattywolford I know her from season 1 of Fargo, where she was magnificent.

[@pattywolford]

@@CloudMountainJuror oh, yes, now i remember. She was also in Gaslight with Julia Roberts. Thanks!

[@LookingGlass1865]

So good and so creepy. The moment when she sees the review saying "I feel like someone sees me" was so shocking and disturbing.

[@gracebasubi6692]

Jup like Wtf

[@dilara6294]

my soul left my body on that one

[@lipglossjunky73]

That was so scary!!!!

[@Nicky_JonesXx]

True like she just said it to her sister how the hell someone would type that two at once the thought of someone must be listening or inside the house right?

[@lucasdesouza9674]

This could be a feature film. So well produced and the actress was 10/10 👏👏

[@bsfbestshortfilmsonyoutube]

Disagree. This is why it was so good being a short. if it was a feature film it would have been dragged out. 10/10 yes.

[@eric-ty3yn]

Definitely had high quality of a feature film

[@eric-ty3yn]

​@@bsfbestshortfilmsonyoutube like Tom Hanks movie Castaway

[@carolinekelly1769]

Thank you for bringing awareness to this scam...I researched "brushing" after watching this film, and am grateful to know what this is and why/how this scam is utilized.

[@Msmary98-98]

I think this is a little more then brushing cause she’s being watched and everything she does and says is being observed.. it’s almost as if who ever is doing it is out to push her over the edge and drive her crazy/ paranoid/ delusional.. in the end they succeed.

[@scoutwithclout8841]

this is not an awareness video for brushing 😭😭

[@carolinekelly1769]

@@scoutwithclout8841 Did u bother to read what the director said? No...obviously not...sigh.

[@Lucid_high09]

What is brushing?

[@ashleebyrd9797]

At first I was like I actually wouldn’t mind being brushed. Send me all the free stuff you want and write whatever review idc. But then she got mailed a bulletproof vest and I was like never mind.

[@gem2148]

That was REALLY GOOD I love how they left it for interpretation whether it is a metaphor for her slipping from one addiction into another (alcoholism to obsession & hoarding) or something even more sinister going on like she is in a simulation game or something!

[@greatpower6063]

why does the concept of realizing everything you experience is just a game scare anyone? That would mean there were no consequences and you have no reason to worry about anything. Also yeah i agree with you on the first part though. Addictions can be scary. I was really wrapped up in the idea that the Brusher would stalk her because she reported the activity and start attacking her home.

[@fourleafclover3745]

@@greatpower6063 that means that nothing you do and have done in your entire life means anything, your feelings and your memories are all fabricated, that doesnt scare u?

[@jennifercleland4852]

@@fourleafclover3745 No if you understand that life isn’t happening to you it’s coming from you. As within so without

[@danicakes911]

Ohh I hadn't thought of the hoarding idea. Interesting!

[@dominik230996]

but you see someone watching her on a laptop in the end

[@CeeBee781]

I relate so strongly to this character. An adult woman, struggling through recovery alone, with a sister who loves and wants to help living far far away, the sister trying to help remotely, while the addict is grasping at some sense of control by obsessing over other little things, inconsequential little aspects of life become everything, until an unfriendly neighbor or a table that can’t be leveled or the temperature of the apartment consume your life while what’s important falls apart around you…

[@pigtailswithbows]

**hugs** I hope you're okay.

[@Poloassassin828]

Wow! Totally same.

[@bigseanprice]

all the hugs!

[@conversevans43]

I had left a previous comment about this and now that I've watched it again, I understood it a little better. I think I was half asleep the first time I watched this lol! So, I knew she ordered some things for her new place, and it came to $140, but then all that other stuff that just kept getting delivered was beyond creepy. I kept wondering if it was maybe someone online from the AA meeting, because the only people she interacted with were the members of the AA group online and her sister, and even then, she didn't say much. I didn't know anything about brushing until the sister explained it. This person was doing a lot more to this poor woman emotionally and psychologically, and it was so messed up and twisted. She ended up finding out that all those round things in her house were speakers and then towards the end it showed someone behind a computer (able to hear her and see her)! This was so freaky and entertaining. Thank you so much for the upload; I enjoyed this one a lot. Keep up the amazing work!

[@tootiejo857]

You had me at "Produced by Jamie Lee Curtis" the original Scream Queen! LOVED THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE

[@jamieschettler8701]

Jamie Lee Curtis produced this?! Frickin awesome!! She'll always be my favorite scream queen!!

[@JakeKatofsky]

Loved producing this short. Wonderful cast and crew and very proud of how it turned out!

[@foxshadow6584]

You are NOT Jamie Lee Curtis

[@rachelmckitterick]

Ohh wow!! I got so absorbed in this I completely forgot I was watching a short film that wasn't a big Hollywood blockbuster! Everything about this is 10/10.

[@wizardaffairs5085]

This was SO good. I've been on the receiving end of a couple brushing scams before and it was bizarre. Wound up giving the stuff away as gifts or selling it (worked out really well that way). Would LOVE a part two but don't feel it's needed; I like the open-ended kind of 'ha! she wasn't paranoid!' ending.

[@yoshilulu2321]

It honestly doesn't sound too bad. Free stuff 🤣

[@lanpingpug]

I had some small items sent to my house as a brushing scam. Only like hairbands and keyrings but it was very weird.

[@lipglossjunky73]

@@yoshilulu2321It’s never anything good or useful - I got a large pooper scooper and like a hand saw. I guess it’s not the worst thing but nothing useful for me.

[@haileyyoung2587]

Allison Tolman is such a great actor, would love to see her in more projects

[@SalveRegina8]

She's in a ton of mainstream stuff. IMDB her. Loved her especially in the first season of Fargo.

[@krishanubanerjee6955]

@@SalveRegina8 I think I've seen her in *Boo* , also on Alter!

[@becky1993x]

Actress*

[@haileyyoung2587]

@@becky1993x Actor is actually a gender neutral term by every definition. "Actress" just like "waitress" or "stewardess" is acceptable but its just a way of specifying unneccesarily that a woman is doing the job.

[@becky1993x]

@@haileyyoung2587 if thats the case why is actress even a word? And why is best actress a category in award ceremonys?

[@yusefendure]

Blown away. This is a brilliant story, and Allison Tolman gave a masterful performance. When she broke down at the end, I wanted to reach through the screen and hug her

[@raphaeljapan5338]

she is a very good actress, the way she play naturally without mannerism and emphasis his state of stress an frightening is perfect...thanks from France

[@avaleebee]

the nasal medication is kinda funny cause whoever is watching her is like “please stop the sniffling”

[@vanessamitchell6664]

Allison Tolman is a brilliant actress. I love everything she does! Good flick!

[@paulineandrushuk8923]

Well done. Would love to see more of Allison, she was brilliant in the TV series about the young girl who was an alien. (forgot series name)

[@Hashslingingslasherrrrrr]

I’d love to know what show it was 👀

[@paulineandrushuk8923]

@@Hashslingingslasherrrrrr Hi I looked it up...TV series called "Emergence" really good thriller 3 yrs ago I think.

[@gracebasubi6692]

The serie is so good 🤯🤯

[@drophammer776]

Great Short!! Let this be a warning not to be banging on doors of People going through a difficult time. Few years ago I surprised my Mom not telling her I was coming over. The bottom hinge always stuck a little, using the heel of my boot my hands were full. Good thing thing she took classes though to be aware of what is considered defensive action and the difference of being scared. Thought before taking a shot at me. That was the last time I ever showed up unounced. 🤣

[@Zumiikaboom]

This and "Other side of the box" were just perfect. I have seen quite a bit of horror short films and I have to say these two just top the cake for me.

[@amyyoung2804]

Bravo! What a Unique and creative concept. A real modern day nightmare of online shopping debacles, zoom meetings, cell phones, and the horror of being watched, stalked, and generally messed with...This film was superbly acted with great pacing, Cinematography and a palpable building of dread. I really feared for the main character Jen. Thank you dear director and all who made the film possible. Would love to see more...also, thanks to ALTER.

[@t.doeart9262]

Omg the actual hold music caused me ptsd hahahaha

[@serenakatherine4759]

literally couldn’t watch past 1 minute because of how real it felt. been in these meetings a lot and i literally felt like i was there. hopefully i can finish it later

[@crissaE7628]

It’s worth it but very very scary

[@kirtywright1974]

Absolutely chilling! This was fantastic! My only complaint? Is it wasn’t longer. This is full feature film worthy👏🏼👏🏼 The acting, production and casting? Were all on point. A sequel perhaps? I’ve already watched it numerous times now, and will rewatch now. I just seen that Jamie Lee Curtis produced this! The Queen of horror, and Queen of scream’s!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@jamesmccoysr.3595]

Most of them are.

[@pollyhepburn]

The on Hold music at 5:18 is giving me flashbacks

[@rachelgray7844]

This was excellent! The post about the blinds gave me chills, and I loved the ending. Thank you for not spoon-feeding us the details, too! Looking forward to whatever you make next! ❤️

[@CoolBreez3007]

One of the best horror shorts I've seen it's Like you could just relate to Julia I felt scared for her. And customer service was just horrible to this woman. She deserves an Oscar it was so well acted that I had forgotten it was a short.

[@Barrymaryland]

When he put her on hold that’s the same song my utilities company uses😂😂😂

[@marijazlatanovic1391]

I watched this like 3 times and I can watch again. Congratulations Russell!! Tense, thrilled, horror and acting, just YES. 👏👏👏

[@79Bobola]

This was so well made, and the main actress did a fantastic job.

[@THENOTORIOUSJAMES]

She casted in a Netflix Show called "Good Girls"

[@Msmary98-98]

It kinda looks like Amazon but they changed the name. I know the feeling of calling one of these companies to question your account and have them just evade all your questions only to be meant with is there anything else I can help you with? So annoying! I loved this , very well acted ❤

[@herheartbeats5727]

The devil in our own mind is probably the most powerful enemy ever...

[@vincelfk]

Wow what a great lead actress! Every scene she's in is so emotionally convincing! 💯

[@michaelf.150]

She is such amazing actress and a beautiful classy lady too 🌷💐🌷💐🌷

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

THE Jaime Lee Curtis produced this? Whoa!

[@sassycat1825]

I really enjoyed the fraction-of-a-second closing scene! Good job. :)

[@kelseydeanndra]

Loved it!!! The JAWS effect via delivered packages, such a great concept. Where’s the feature!? 😍

[@morguenmorguen6862]

Absolutely the best short horror film about shame and paranoia I could find on KZbin. Excellent quality, sound & acting. Accurate subtitles for those who prefer to read. I thought that the protagonist was being set up to do a terrorism due to the contents of some of the packages and I was not disappointed by how the story actually progressed. I have recommended to others.

[@lillydevil2486]

This film would TOTALLY work for a full-length thing--with the tension and the cuts and the acting. but there HAS to be some other premise for it, or have it drawn out and built up more. Because this film here is like having an open-budget for some teenagers creepypasta.

[@StudioHannah]

I love suspense stories like this with twists but I’m sad that they always end so sadly 😅 I know that’s not always realistic or needed, but I’d like to see it SOMEtimes, especially for this lady! I hope her sister gets medical attention quickly and they figure out that the main lady wasn’t paranoid after all 😭

[@DavidJD12]

She's a great actress.

[@anthonymiller934]

I absolutely Adore Allison. She was my favorite character in the tv series Fargo

[@phillipayoung10]

Russell....This was pretty good!! It shows how online shoppin' can be down right addictive and down right terrifyin'!!!

[@GnlDanger]

Tolman is such an incredible actress. Love her!

[@Ok.WhatsYourPoint_]

Alters been a hit or miss lately but I thoroughly enjoyed this film ❤

[@chynnacruz6727]

The “Your not” wouldve sent me over the edge lol

[@makennasakiestewa8575]

As someone who is in rehab for alcoholism, this would terrify me as well.

[@daisy9479]

I mean the bottle opener 😳😩💀

[@sarahburton3110]

Brilliant little film. Wish it was longer. Love Alison. She’s such an amazing actress 😊

[@jeremiahwilson9717]

Loved it but frustrated at the end at inability to call 911 immediately

[@MMAGamblingTips]

My then (as posted under the pinned comment) It was very Black Mirror-esque. She put all of her info out there through the phone and Internet ordering items and the AA group. The people on the group chat knew her face and name and struggles; potentially using it to make her think she’s crazy. Sending the security cameras to watch and toy with her.

[@MMAGamblingTips]

@@alo5301 I think that a lot is left up to interpretation. What part specifically did you not get?

[@MMAGamblingTips]

@@alo5301 yeah, remember when she installed the security cameras? They were likely able to use the security cameras to see her in the house as they monitor her. I have security cameras in my house right now where I’m able to be anywhere in the world and login to an app and see what’s going on at my house. The same thing here. Also, she gave her name and information online in her AA group. It wouldn’t have been difficult for them to spy on her at all.

[@MMAGamblingTips]

@@alo5301 you’re welcome ☺️

[@origami83]

I loved the name of the company on the packages, smirk. Poking at amazon with their smile logo.

[@DabsOnDabs]

Oof, this was dark. Unfortunately, I'm living in a sober home and AA meetings are forced on us. I hear this prayer twice a week. It's a good prayer, but hearing it in this context was creepy. It almost seemed like the AA group was a part of this and wanted her to be truly alone, although that isn't revealed for a fact.

[@Nicole-no9ig]

Very, very well done! My only feedback? Closed captioning is very helpful for those of us who want to enjoy the same content as everyone else.

[@calykoo69]

I need them too, they had them.

[@LadyMoonsparrow]

This was so original! Excellent film, very terrifying to see what was happening to her. Terrific actress!

[@nildaa7534]

Oh. I had to watch it twice! She is a recovering alcoholic and she substituted by online shopping spree. Being alone. Recovering alone 😔

[@TheMasterMindGirl]

I really like that. It’s a scary movie but you’re also bring awareness to something like this. Honestly, with how accessible everything you do online and everything about you is online I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody had hacked into my phone. I would’ve been entirely freaked out….. but she was getting free stuff that ended up being pretty convenient for her… but that was because she was also being stalked. As somebody who gets severe paranoia, and if it gets bad enough audio and visual hallucinations I can only imagine in such a low state(especially because she was getting away from an addiction issue) what could only go through somebody’s mind in that position

[@poison_blade104]

i farted when the window broke, i got so scared😭

[@TheMissEuphory]

Well that was terrifying! True horror without any screamers

[@justinjc79]

Love the use of the famous Opus No. 1 hold music when waiting for a rep!

[@sarahgrable7479]

Ugh! The worst music ever created! I thought it added nicely to the building dread and discomfort of the film.

[@justinjc79]

@@sarahgrable7479 Theres an idea for a new short... call it "On Hold" 😄

[@JacobHuber]

Beautiful. I understand this as a critique on data harvesting and the dangers of allowing massive corporations to influence and manipulate consumers based on data they've collected.

[@Msmary98-98]

I’ve watched this a million and one times trying to figure out what’s going on with this woman and I think it’s a little more then brushing cause she’s being watched and listened to on a daily.. I think someone was brushing her but having a little fun with her as well. Trying to push her over the edge... in the end they succeeded....

[@Nicky_JonesXx]

I last watch this around 2022 it feels like almost 2 years! And I was staying at the boarding house when I was 1st year on college and I was watching this on a netbook and this short film is so triggering just like they said this need a full movie because this feels real for paranoia for people who lives alone for the first time and are paranoid

[@jm7578]

This was a truly new non cliche horror story. Excellent five stars

[@georgeknox1822]

Sign me up for that scam anytime 😂. Brilliant short btw . Superb , acting first class , great idea

[@Michelle-1]

Incredible. That lady is an amazing actress.

[@BloodMarket]

I just got auditory flashbanged by that on hold music. My work has this blasting in the background when they dont hang up the phone properly after making an announcement

[@pytdivine]

the last second of the computer screen was the creepiest part omggg

[@JC-wv9vr]

So the person stalking Julia must’ve stalked others before he knows how to get into peoples heads so basically like The Watcher

[@JC-wv9vr]

Sorta

[@arbjful]

I think it was all in her head

[@WeAreAirborne]

the violence of hyperaggressive marketing..... OOF. loved this one

[@amybowen5800]

I adore this actress she's smart funny n beautiful

[@Raeonneptune]

I literally love the lady who plays the main character--I click on every video with her in it 😩😭

[@orsacbollard8147]

This girl was an actor on good girls on Netflix

[@sardonicapple5369]

I randomly ran into this and being a big fan of Allison Tolman (Fargo, Emergence) I was surprised to see she made a horror short. So I decided to do some research after watching this brilliant unnerving film and found out Russel Goldman aka Jamie Lee Curtis’ right hand directed it and I was no longer surprised. This is excellent work and that final short gave me goosebumps. Great Job on all counts. Brava!

[@atomicwendy]

Allison Tolman is superb in everything she's in. I love her!!

[@valerieking5265]

What an excellent short film, I loved Allison Tolman in Emergence. It was a bummer when they canceled that show after one season.

[@thelovelyt1]

I wonder if the car sounds were being played on the speakers and not in real life. I love this concept.

[@annediaz152]

My anxiety definitely ramped up watching this! Great premise.

[@denniscleary7580]

She was funny in Fargo the TV show if anybody hasn’t seen it

[@thompsonevergreen8006]

Why is that hold music so damn accurate

[@freshscrilla]

It's one of the best shorts I've seen in a while. Well done!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@migdalia12banda]

Such a good movie!! I love plots like this, when you don't if the MC is actually in danger or they're just crazy! Allison was phenomenal!! Clicked on the movie as soon as I saw her!

[@alessandrapaiva9528]

I LOVE IT! congratulations to everyone who made this short! 👏🏼

[@Keditorian]

amazing actor. amazing concept. SO GOOD. i love allison tolman.

[@williest1]

This film was like a metaphor for social media listening to everything we do and algorithms tracking us! How smartphones are constantly listening with the microphone on and it makes it easy for phishing scams like this

[@melissajohnson3308]

She is an incredible actress,I was sad when it ended I needed more!!!!!!!!!

[@Xenophlanes]

She is a good actress, liked her in Fargo.

[@joylee6968]

Yes, she was very good.

[@Lee_Plenty]

Allison Tolman was great in Fargo season 1. This was a very good short btw.

[@Piaseczno1]

This was 10 of 10, Mr. Russell. Awesome. The actress was so common and believable, common in the sense of an everyday ordinary person which made the short piece credible. If this were to happen to me in real life, I would get out the house and just go to a motel for a while. Or vacay. Or something non-routine. I liked this show.

[@TheMasterMindGirl]

I definitely agree with this comment Allison did an amazing job with this character and after everything through Covid, I’m sure a lot of people who were probably getting on the paranoid side after spending too much time alone I know friends who were single paranoia heightened, and I know my abusive relationship got to the point where I almost died. It’s crazy what isolation and anxiety can do to people though.

[@chrisblue1355]

The hold music is same as the IRS uses on thier "customer service" line.Thats a horror story by itself...

[@ravensdawn430]

Wow! I've worn those shoes many times. This shows the obsession we can have with something to the point we can driven to the extreme if we let ourselves. I have felt that obsession. Kudos to Alllison Tolman who was so believable I could feel her tension as if it were my own! The climax was so intense and felt so real I was on the edge of my seat. Excellent film! Bravo! 🌹🌹🌹 👏👏👏