I LIVE IN YOUR HOUSE - Short Film with Amanda Lehan-Canto, Angela Giarratana, and Patrick McDonald

A short film about the things that live under our floorboards.
Written and Directed by Patrick McDonald
Produced by Thundercane Productions (Matt Kane and Marc Underhill)
CAST:
Valerie - Amanda Lehan-Canto
Reed - Patrick McDonald
Maya - Angela Giarratana
Podcast Host - Kylie Brakeman
CREW:
Executive Producers - Matt Kane and Marc Underhill
Director of Photography - Matt Kane
First AD - Marc Underhill
Sound - Nidal Bukhari
Sound Mixer/Designer - Mischa Stanton
Editor/Composer - Josh Fleury
Script Supervisor - Mary Lou
Production Support:
Tess Carges
Kale Clauson
Wes Dunlap
Paul Heredia
Song: "Let's Go Walking In The Moonlight", courtesy of The RTs

[@lunalovegood8931]

Not Angela being the typical “horror movie husband” in this

[@Mezzy..]

The coyote monologue actually ran chills down my spine.

[@mrfrogkingg]

It was beautiful, Patrick is an amazing writer

[@blakewhite3131]

Phenomenal writing

[@MrKChusker]

Omg so good. When he said coyote management program i was thinking it was a bit about coyote’s starting a group to get people lol.

[@blakewhite3131]

@@MrKChusker I ALSO THOUGHT THE COYOTES UNIONIZED OR SOMETHING

[@serialfrost1]

SAME

[@smoshandgrab]

“maybe I came with you” gave me actual chills

[@IzumisChild]

Made me think of Next to Normal and Reed was an allegory for mental illness.

[@syndig]

@@IzumisChild exactly my thoughts

[@SweetCarolineBAMBAMBAM]

Omg the king of smosh comps is here

[@maxwashere.]

@@IzumisChild oh, what a good comparison! what we believe to be an external haunting being revealed as an internal haunting.

[@fma64]

I live in your house compilation when

[@nigelbutar]

Reed saying “When I drink coffee, I’m up all night” followed with Amanda staying up all night finding Reed is such a good foreshadow! Man this is a great short film.

[@SJstine]

And then the "why don't you come over for coffee sometime"

[@Skallanni]

The color theory choices of Reed’s clothes was perfect! Neon yellow gets the attention and signifies warning, fades to neon orange which is also used to indicate danger. Then to a pink during Valerie’s acceptance of the situation, a color also associated with femininity as it is a man essentially invading a woman’s home and relationship. But then he wears white… only when he finally speaks purely factually and seriously and marks a big change in tone. He wears green during the visions to hide in the trees but also because it is a somewhat neutral color, associated with nature but can sometimes evoke feelings of illness: is this reality or is this just Valerie’s unhealthy and unreasonable imagination? The colors reflect the interactions between Valerie and Reed as well as her interpretations and his intentions.

[@little_miss_snushine]

This is my greatest fear and it's 3:22AM. Welp. I'm gonna keep watching but I might be scarred for a few nights.

[@cyb3rfa1ry666]

i have been coming up with my own theories about this short film and your comment is like the missing puzzle piece i needed omg.

[@Zo.sTheMost]

@@little_miss_snushineBut what about white. (I'm just curious on your take because I live for theories and or ideas)

[@bertschnitzel1559]

​@@Zo.sTheMost someone said the white stands for being pure and he wore that at the coyote monologue, so maybe he wasnt lying there for the first time

[@xLuvandkisses101x]

I was wondering about this, thank you!

[@carolmay8108]

What adds insult to injury to Reed's presence is that every time we see him, he is wearing bright neon clothing, the most visible outfits possible.

[@toyang6538]

Right!! 😭

[@alexandrasaldivar8304]

Then the conversation with the wife there he’s wearing white I don’t know what that means if anything but it’s still kind of creepy

[@Spirit-FilledMindset]

@@alexandrasaldivar8304 And then a black shadow in the house.

[@alexandrasaldivar8304]

@@Spirit-FilledMindset It was such a good touch!

[@ShiroLatte]

He's seen when he wants to be seen

[@PatriciaMakesThings]

I gotta say, introducing Reed with him just repeating "Tea? Tea? Tea? Tea?" over and over was immediately off-putting. This was really well made.

[@Miles-wowza]

That's how I'm gonna introduce myself from now on💀

[@jaredt.murphy8257]

After the Q&A, and rewatching, it's almost like it morphs from TEHEE into Tea, such a gremlin

[@BRBonGiediPrime]

I would watch a full-length feature of this. The "person inside your house" plot has always been terrifying, and Patrick's goofy nature alongside his ability to go stone cold is fantastic.

[@MrKChusker]

This was really good. I wasn’t sure if it was going full creepy or if comedy was coming. Really loved this!

[@ilypopple]

IKR

[@carijean37]

Agreed. I need a complete story. I hate cliff hangers so much to the point I won't watch or read anything unless I know it's a complete story or the complete series is already out. I will wait sooo long for a complete series to come out before watching or reading something with cliff hangers. Lol.

[@kastiak06]

Idk, I this that what we have here is exactly as much as the story needs. We've had enough cool short horror films that were then stretched to make a full-length movie and it just sucks because they are forced to add unnecessary details and actions which don't add (if not ruin) to the original concept. This one is perfect, concise, says what it has to say and end on a strong note. Nothing more needed

[@kastiak06]

​@@carijean37 before getting to what I wrote, I am realizing that the size of much reply can make it seem like an attack, on your opinion, but I'm just trying to methodically explain my point of view. I understand that people have their preferences and some don't like when a story is too short, but here's why I think it's a good thing. The whole story held on the premise that No-Name didn't know if Reed was or wasn't in the house. The plot was about and advanced through this doubt. At the end, she has the confirmation that he does. The shocking revelation is given at the very last second, and we are left on a strong note with a sense of "omg it wasn't a joke". The punchline worked. Now, if we want to make it a full length movie, what can we do? Do we continue after the punchline? What would No-Name do? Befriending Reed wouldn't last long, and it wouldn't have much point now that the tension of doubt is gone. Chasing him away now that she knows he is here could become like a coyote and road runner situation, which might be interesting to watch if we didn't have gained sympathy already for Reed's character - especially after the coyote monologue - making No-Name dislikeable. Okay, so adding more after the original story is over doesn't work. So what if we add to the first part? Do we add more tension? Making No-Name go insane for longer? Well we already understood well enough how the situation affected her in those few minutes, so what would add more do? Make it longer by adding more elaborate schemes on her part? Like a Home Alone but none of the traps ever work, especially since we aren't sure that he's even actually there, or if it was after all just a bad joke. Or maybe we show how much insaner she gets from having to deal with this doubt? Maybe but at some point you're gonna go from "funny haha, she is worried but it's almost over" to "damn, she really is affected by this, I feel bad for her. Will she ever recover from this?", which would send her into an intense panic attack when her wife invites Reed to visit, making the vibe a lot more serious and dramatic than it is intended to be. Or maybe she searches for him and tries to find how he gets inside? Maybe, but if she ever finds out how, then the punchline is pointless because there won't have been doubt about the veracity of his presence. And if she doesn't find out, we go back to the Home Alone situation. Sometimes we simply have to let things be what they are, and not add anything more to them.

[@CCAmes-je9lt]

“That’s so silly… It’s so silly to think that you’d be able to find me…” Actually terrifying.

[@summerskull9379]

I can’t tell if he is actually living in her house or if he’s a psychopath who takes pleasure in gaslighting her… both are terrifying

[@bluemoon7785]

God, now I wanna see Amanda start in a actual full length horror movie. It's so cool to see her doing a more serious acting instead of comedy, what a amazing actress

[@liriodendronlasianthus]

She'd be perfect for an A24 film

[@ashleysoto367]

I agree! She did amazing!

[@mirrormimi]

Right????? She was so goood

[@justindenton599]

I don't know what challenges my suspension of disbelief more, that a millennial couple could possible afford a mortgage on an LA seaside property, or that Amanda Lehan Canto was cast to play a character who at one point has difficulty reaching something.

[@maem7462]

When she was struggling to look in a high spot I was like this isn’t very convincing bc she’s so tall lol

[@ADHlexia]

HAHA fr

[@Meepers_the_Great]

lol yes the struggling to reach something was a LITTLE far fetched 🤣😂

[@nakynie463]

This comment takes the cake

[@twocheeky]

THIS WAS MY THOUGBT TOO LMFAOOO AMANDA STRUGGLING TO REACH SOMEWHERE?????

[@willismajor1113]

The wife’s nonchalance about the possibility of Reed living in their house, even going so far as inviting him over, adds such a nice touch. Reed, you prankster! Stop terrorizing WLW’s!

[@eleanormercier9149]

And don't forget her wife so casually gave Reed Valerie's name when she never wanted him to know it

[@Vabulous1]

Omg, I didn't even clock that.

[@Hamhockss]

WLW = white lesbian women?

[@hyperbaroque]

Yeah but c'mon, you always have the one jogging partner who carries coyote and snake deterrants and the other who is like yeah well the coyotes donXt actually attack anybody and the snakes can't kill you.

[@Hamhockss]

WLW?

[@Nyxxeonn]

I absolutely love it when movies make you question yourself as the viewer as well, the whole "wait, so DOES he actually live in their house?" feeling is amazing.

[@masturblades]

it’s actually awful I’m looking through the comments trying to find the answer because I’m a paranoid person😭

[@amybrien]

the way Reed could be a metaphor for literally anything is incredible to me, he is the thing in your life that you ignore until it forces itself to be present, i am obsessed

[@beefbossee807]

“why does merely knowing i exist ruin your life” my guy…. that goes hard. 10/10 short film

[@jessicajames6676]

Amanda running through the house yelling into each room is basically just her playing fnaf

[@devancanipe1978]

real

[@nate4732]

Soon as Angela invited Reed to come over at any time, i just imagined chanse saying "ANGELA? ANGELLLA?? ANGEELLLLAAA?"

[@CuongCDo]

With his "Nooo. No. Angela. Angela... Angela..."

[@psychopompion]

i can see him shaking his head watching that scene lmao

[@kul2130]

Reed: I live in your house! Chanse: Lllllleave it, lllllleave it....

[@RACCOON.RODENTZ]

ShuUUUUuuuut UUUUUP!

[@KozyToast]

Reed: I live in your house! Chanse: the fuck you do!

[@angella_irl]

Amanda realizing she was going crazy was such a good performance, and Patrick really nailed it with the psychopathic vibes. Honestly kinda got a bit scared during the last scene, but thats a sign its a good film. Congrats guys, good job!

[@rickyricardo9710]

Patrick was probably the best part imo, the changing colored sweatsuits/headbands, the uncaniness of him standing by the palm tree looking tiny, the little muppet wave he does every time he walks away. Felt very lynchian

[@highdefinition450]

but she wasn't crazy in the end if maya heard reed too lol idk

[@haruwu9556]

When art makes you feel things... There's nothing better honestly!!

[@OctopusOwl]

Patrick knows how to play with tone and pauses in juuuust the right way to make whatever he’s saying extra creepy.

[@reina_harhar7815]

​@highdefinition450 There's a theory suggesting that Maya is just playing along with Valerie's mental challenges. She's going crazy and she realizing it. But Maya loves her no matter what and wants to help her through the process that she acts nonchalant about it. Reed is real, but the Reed inside their home is Valerie's demons swirling around her. Maya is her pillar who comforts her by playing along.

[@gmolinacarvajal]

This is like Tommy Bowe's mental illness bit but turned into a psychological thriller. Loved it.

[@8Rincewind]

Even if Reed isn't in their house and doesn't have some superhuman ability of stealth and infiltration. The fact that there's a guy in their neighborhood who delights in making them feel insecure is a scary enough red flag.

[@maurafenlon8071]

Exactly! Someone who fucks with your head is worse than anything

[@temporary353]

reed vilhelm is singlehandedly the best horror comedy villain name

[@EdgarC701]

Reed *Wilhelm (pronounced Vilhelm in German) - as in the "Wilhelm Scream" aka one of the most recognized movie sound effects in history...

[@adammgolan]

​@@EdgarC701True, except for the horror part. Not exactly a horrifying sound, the Wilhelm Scream. It has mostly been used in non-horror works. And its first ever usage wasn't a horror movie either.

[@EdgarC701]

@@adammgolan correct will edit

[@ttintagel]

On latest rewatch I noticed that Valerie's conversations with Reed can be interpreted to correspond with the first four stages of grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, and depression.

[@mrfrogkingg]

Holy shit, you're right

[@Val-rd4lb]

Good observation

[@TM.BECK14]

Angela's last line could even be interpreted as Acceptance

[@mileschannel925]

@@TM.BECK14DAMN TRUE

[@bryncanete-witter8049]

Exactly what I got from it as well. Especially with every outfit Patrick wore being the same but changing the colors to represent each stage of grief and ending with white to represent the acceptance.

[@yurboisam]

damn, so this is what happened to toilet water girl and new york after love is blind.

[@izziefisher188]

this comment wins

[@tvagic]

LMAO I CANT

[@SnackityWackity]

You speedy genius you

[@faeor1e]

new york is not a fan of reed and his “hi’s”

[@noluvBasil]

i just went from terrified to dying laughing😂

[@ellah.55]

I also like how Reed always appears with the brightest most highlighted outfits (used by runners for nighttime) in contrast with him saying "I'd have to be pretty undetectable at this point" It really adds to the idea that Valerie was losing her mind because he's so easy to spot.

[@leximae9997]

i know this was good when i’m scrolling through the comments to see if i missed something and he’s in the house or not in the house like I FEEL SO UNSETTLED NOT KNOWING

[@calibananon8370]

Reed as a physical manifestation of trauma/grief/anxiety and Maya showing that people can love and accept you even when your demons are haunting you.

[@EdgarC701]

I think, like a lot of good art/artists, they opted to keep it vague and conflicting on the yes/no to "Its all in her head" (like Maya/Angela talking to Reed to "confirm he is real" to the audience) to add chills

[@outofthegrey7430]

I think Reed was nothing more than a harmless neighbor but the evil Reed who existed only in her mind was what we always see her interacting with

[@ZombieQueen234]

That’s what I was getting too!

[@riseagainphoenix]

It's getting tiring that every single film with any horror elements at all is a metaphor for trauma/grief. Let monsters be monsters again

[@divannadelvalle9226]

@@riseagainphoenix sometimes the scariest monsters come from trauma/grief or mental illness. it adds an extra element of horror when u understand

[@Sys-iu3vq]

Everyone did REALLY wonderfully on this, cinematography and writing and set dressing and composition. But can we have some extra appreciation for Amanda's acting? The line between horror and comedy in this is largely based on how much you believe Valerie, and Amanda's acting is key to bringing you back and forth across that line, as you waver between feeling sympathy for Valerie and dismissing her. Its difficult to pull off and she did it SO well.

[@mrfrogkingg]

You put what I was feeling into words, this all depended on Amanda's ability to show Valerie's paranoia, and I was hooked

[@mileschannel925]

like that “going insane” laugh she did???? omg 😭

[@Caslaan]

So well done she’s so talented fr. Could watch her in anything

[@hyperbaroque]

Amanda totally had me sucked in, I was more concerned about Amanda's emotional responses than the facts.

[@random_sara]

like this really gave me a better picture on amanda and why shes so amazing! love her!

[@LiterallyMarieee]

Amanda and Angela being a canon couple is how you make people watch your projects You get it Patrick

[@mileschannel925]

literally 😂

[@Vulcan0719]

13:43 the “hi” in the silence KILLED ME. I have never actually had shivers down my spine before, but now I’m chasing that high

[@michaelmeyer7481]

I think it was a really cool idea that you actually never physically see Reed in the house. Makes it more unsettling

[@jylbaes]

AMANDA & ANGELA A MARRIED COUPLE???????? IM HERE FOR IT🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[@fma64]

Are they a maried couple on every universe?

[@piercetheveilofficial]

​@@fma64 YESSSS

[@MildlyPerturbed]

@@fma64not in this one. Amanda is already married.

[@UltraViolentMoon]

@MildlyPertubed And that is the only prove i need, to know that we are living in the worst universe

[@fma64]

@@MildlyPerturbed yeah they are like the chosen who is chosen on every universe but this one

[@bugletvk]

can i hear some commotion for patrick?!?!?! writing, directing, and acting? triple threat king

[@mrfrogkingg]

Patrick is insanely talented

[@Anzy.99]

he's so good

[@AlyssaIsAsleep]

The delivery of “Yeah, I live in your house!” And “I live there now!” starting at 1:36 is SO unsetting. The way he laughs while saying it. It’s so GOOD omg.

[@mrfrogkingg]

I genuinely didn't know if I believed him

[@AlyssaIsAsleep]

@@mrfrogkingg Yeah same!! It really fed into the horror theme and I loved it

[@enzo_gabriel3964]

I kinda just thought that part was funny

[@_rat_5758]

It’s so perfect

[@IncandescentReader21]

Patrick is an awesome dude; vibes immaculate!

[@TzarP3]

Oh my god, I really WANT to see Amanda in a horror/thriller movie, her facial expressions are glorious and her acting potential is tremendous.

[@bronwenwieman3389]

I’ve never seen Amanda and Angela seriously act before and OMG THEY’RE SO GOOD

[@Misogynisticfeminist]

For Angela, check out Starkid’s Black Friday.

[@laylahassomethingtosay]

The way he reacts to the "come say hi whenever" makes me think that at some point the previous owners nonchalantly said something like "my house is your house" or "make yourself at home"

[@ItsMeHarry]

You can't convince me Amanda listening to true crime in bed wasn't just her taking a break while the cameras were running

[@lalalandthinkr]

literally what i said too omg 😭

[@taylordouthit3397]

All I was thinking was “did they really just cast Amanda as herself” lmao complete with the paranoia from all the pranks pulled on her since she’s been outed as “chronically offline”

[@Mariethechaotic]

And of course she takes Angela as her wife 😂.

[@shouldvebeenatree]

Yesssss! So on brand for her!! 🤣

[@DietMtnDew5]

Is that Courtney voice for the podcast?

[@bugletvk]

ALSO JOSH FLEURY EDITOR/COMPOSER!!! JOSH MENTIONED!!! JOSH NATION RISE UP!!!

[@thinkingoverthenight]

josh fleury is so cool im such a big fan

[@mrfrogkingg]

@@thinkingoverthenight truly, we love our Lord and Saviour Josh

[@mrfrogkingg]

@@RosieDaRizzler nah, Josh Fleury from Smosh

[@Apollo9898LP]

I think the Coyote monologue is pretty telling as to what this is really about. "Why does knowing I exist ruin your life?", "Because people were scared of them, 55 died.", "Tell yourself I'm gone, and I'll be gone."

[@dallischu2950]

What do you think it’s about?

[@orangelemonsss]

@@dallischu2950I’m not the commenter, but I think it’s about mental illness

[@CPS12]

The shift in his face at "no one's ever offered that before" SPOOKYYYYYY

[@maarcosalvreez]

patrick absolutely nailed this performance. the coyote monologue? chills. and the writing was amazing

[@martispartis05]

“Wife? Very cool!” Is a perfect observation of straight people trying to make queer couples understand that they’re okay with it 😭

[@DuKiBrain]

As a lesbian that’s how I react fr.

[@martispartis05]

@@DuKiBrain personally I clap and do a cartwheel

[@cliffordbunton8788]

I grew up with a few gay family members so it was never a big deal to me personally, but I definitely know some people who have reacted that way...

[@xhelan131]

you sound like youre complaining about this? wtf do you people want. if we dont acknowledge it we are ignorant, if we say "very cool" you complain. fuck off.

[@worldssmallestfan]

@@DuKiBrainLesbian? Very cool!

[@DaRealDeal]

I love how this left so much up to interpretation and different perspectives. My theory is that this was a tasteful/artistic depiction of the "horror" of battling mental illness, the "maybe I came here with you" part of the coyote monologue was what had me leaning into this theory even more. Angela "seeing" Patrick tripped me up a bit, but then I felt this could have been her being a loving and supportive wife who is aware of Amanda's struggles and loves her for who she is. She expresses her love for her wife by welcoming Amanda's inner demons into their home.

[@3rddegreenerd283]

all of this wow!!

[@EyesDontCry]

I don't personally agree, as you said different interpretations, but if I had to make your idea fit in a way I understand, I would say Reed is aware of this and is maybe trying to needle at Valerie for it, Reed is real but he might be trying to convince Valerie that she's actually crazy. He's either shooting in the dark or knows something about her past and is trying to get that out of her in a non threatening way as to force her to accept that he's not really in her house and that it's okay if she sees him, so when he does reveal himself (as he does at the end) she might be more accepting of it. Ofcourse she however immediately asks her wife if she heard it too, and she says yes, so her wife proves Reed actually does exist, breaking that illusion and bringing her into that horrifying reality, that indeed Reed is real, and Reed is living in her house.

[@livvlife]

@@EyesDontCryI think what you’re saying makes more sense, too. Reed is basically trying to gaslight her into thinking she is crazy. But reed is real, her wife heard him too

[@pola9882]

100% yes!!

[@mandamaytano]

I would LOVE if Patrick could come on Smosh Mouth to talk about the behind the scenes of shooting this. Or honestly just a video of behind the scenes on this channel would be amazing.

[@chuckles5471]

I freaked out when Maya said Valerie's name. I thought "oh no, now he knows. Will he haunt her more now?!"

[@bondfall0072]

If this gets made into a full length feature, I'd love for it be revealed he's some sort of fae creature

[@stardusst]

as someone with anxiety and ocd, this gets me in the right ways. one of my biggest irrational fears has always been the idea of someone living in my house without my knowledge. the scene of amanda checking her house and looking into every corner to see if someone was there is something that if find myself doing sometimes out of sheer fear of finding someone.

[@gauzeeeee]

ocd haver here, sometimes my ass is too physically exhausted to relieve myself of the thoughts by getting up to perform my rituals such as checking locks so i just sit there in silence replaying my intrusive thoughts over n over 💀

[@stardusst]

@@gauzeeeee oh sometimes i do that too lmao, especially if its nighttime and my cowardly ass doesnt wanna step outside of my room, so i just laid on bed making a hans zimmer worth soundtrack movie on how i'm about to die or some shit lmao

[@gauzeeeee]

@@stardusst you’re so real ahahahha

[@dracothelittlepuff1526]

from "the coffee would keep me up" / "it doesn't have that affect on me" to the second day of "i stayed up all night looking for you"... i love this short film so so much oh my gosh...

[@daniellesmith3955]

The coyote speech gave me such chills - especially in this age where privacy often feels like a mirage. And the twist of "come say hi anytime" - there are a myriad of phrases Americans say to be nice but never literally mean. Amicability can flip so fast (eek!) - but also is it all in your head?

[@mrfrogkingg]

I was sure that having a stranger in the house, even if not dangerous, would be so weird if I hadn't invited them and definitely a reason to call the cops, but man...Coyote Monologue got to me. I don't know if I'd call the cops now.

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

Thats a great point, love movies that take note of the way Americans say things out of politeness that are never ever taken literally. “Don’t be a stranger” “make yourself at home” fit perfectly here

[@sumnox]

@@mrfrogkinggok but like the thing is, if he’s living in MY house that I’m paying for then he needs to contribute money/service so I’d still call the cops if he’s not willing to contribute. Like to live off someone’s property for free is just wildly impolite.

[@EyesDontCry]

​@@sumnox I mean the point his character is getting at (atleast what I got) is that it's technically harmless, someone living in your house isn't taking your food or running up your electric bill, they just stay there completely inconspicuously. It is of no harm nor detraction if someone is living in your house and you don't know it. The unsettling part for me is that despite all of the logical reasoning you could do in order to say its harmless, none of it matters because the problem resides in the not knowing, you not knowing if someone is in your house, you not knowing what they're intentions are if they are, or not knowing what they might do. In a way I feel like his character doesn't intend to be malicious if he's actually living in her house, he's being upfront and telling her I'm in your house, comparing himself to the coyotes and clarifying he can do no harm, it's like he has this perspective of "no harm no foul" and taken it to it's logical extremes. Obviously the problem in this is that she still doesn't actually know regardless of what he says, and he's driving her crazy because of it, if he were living in her house, he'd be better of not saying anything at all if he didn't mean any harm, but again this character has a warped view. And lastly, if he isn't living in her house, we'll I think he's plainly just fucking with her, but the ending suggests he is living there because Angela's character (idk the name) says she heard it too, it's not in Valeries head. He says himself "no one's ever said that to me before", making it seem like he does this and tends to keep them in the dark, but because Angela's character actually spurred him on (accidentally ofcourse) he takes it very literally and genuinely thinks it's okay to show himself now in order to say hi at any time. It's possible Angela's character simply said she heard it to be in agreement because she's half asleep, and then it's actually in Valeries head, but I doubt that was the intention there.

[@Berryations]

@@mrfrogkingg lol that’s stupid

[@farshot2713]

Seeing Amanda jumping up to see ANYTHING breaks immersion. Even as a fictional character everyone knows shes 6'5.

[@bearyhugs7410]

Amanda killed. The cinematography slayed. Angela did Angela

[@mothman8652]

"Did you hear that?" "Yeah" WTF PATRICK WHAT DOES THIS EVEN MEAN IM CHECKING MY VENTS

[@ttintagel]

This seriously reminded me of some of the better X-Files episodes that kept me up all night when they first aired.

[@2lines498]

WHY DID SHE SAY YEAH SO CASUALLY

[@adenvue4310]

​@@2lines498 lmao. I've done the same. So sleepy, I just agree with whatever my gf is saying. I've fed her paranoia once or twice. Kinda feel bad

[@SlipperyTeeth]

@@adenvue4310 The worst ones are when you are actually just asleep, but something in the way your body works makes it so you still say stuff that makes enough sense to seem awake. Then you find out a week later that your partner has ordered cameras just to catch a bird pecking at your window that you already knew about. relatable, am i right?

[@mothman8652]

@@adenvue4310 oh probably. my gf sleep talks she'd definitely scare the crap outta me doing that

[@dustiibunnii]

“I will say hi whenever” NOOOOOOO POOR VALERIE LEAVE HER ALONE. “Does knowing I exist change anything” that monologue but like,,, INSIDE HER HOUSE?? THE ENDINF LMAOOOOO

[@ghoststil]

The straight deadpan tone of the first “I live in your house!” Had me rethinking if I wanted to watch this at 2 am 😭😭

[@falkeprophet]

both of them killed it so hard for the entire scene at 8:56. Amanda’s facial expressions really sell it, especially at 11:00. And the way she transitions into laughter and decides to follow his advice and pretend for the sake of her sanity.

[@savannahterwilliger9797]

I would 100% pay to see a full movie of this

[@dinodm4083]

Alt title: Valerie’s neighbor wages psychological warfare for 14 minutes straight

[@captainbighead]

14 minutes lesbian**

[@jerbearemy]

@@captainbighead incredible lmao

[@AN456d]

Neighbour? More like... Roommate

[@julianbleh]

CASTING AMANDA AND ANGELA AS A MARRIED COUPLE IS THE BEST THING EVER, THIS SHORT FILM WAS CRAZY AND THAT COYOTE MONOLOGUE CAUGHT ME SO OFF GUARD IT WAS AMAZING

[@mileschannel925]

YESSSS

[@lavor14asd]

it was so weird to see Angela being serious instead of her average electric racoon style, but I loved it honestly, everyone was great in this

[@fma64]

If you haven't seen her work on Starkid then you're in for a treat

[@--Danni--]

She is actually an amazing dramatic actor

[@Anzy.99]

she's a terrific actor honestly

[@spaghettixdemon2973]

I love how Reed would say "I'll see you around" because even that is such an off-putting thing to say

[@simon10nuevos]

The slow pan on Valerie's face coupled with her performance starting at 11:04 is such a stellar moment. The color grading and the photography direction is incredible. I loved it

[@willkayl8793]

Angela and Amanda in the same short film AND being married is amazing and makes so much sense. Also, Patrick plays a really good weirdo. In my opinion, the score really makes this film as well. Great job Patrick.

[@ttintagel]

Having the editor and composer be the same person really pays off in this genre! The music and the cutting really play off each other to heighten and relieve the tension.

[@trezalkapeliskova2121]

I kept thinking that it would be so easy to call Reed's bluff. Ask something he could only know if he truly lived in (or at least visited) their house. Something along the lines "what color is our blanket?". But then what if he answered correctly? Did he just guess? Or did he actually see it? God, this film scratches my brain in all the right places.

[@mrfrogkingg]

And also, he implies that he lives apart from the main house hence has never been found. Maybe him not knowing just means that he's not the 'watching you sleep' creepy.

[@Paul_o_FLB]

Also he did tell Valerie it was a joke when confronted about it, so if that was a lie, he could also lie about not knowing details to calm you down and get you off his tracks... he did say he wouldn't be easily detected...

[@neoncamcorder]

this is GORGEOUS. ive struggled with paranoia and anxiety for years, and this is exactly what it feels like. having a physical representation of that feeling in the form of a person, TELLING YOU that they live in your house? chilling. im absolutely obsessed.

[@PolBlanesCebrian]

To me, at some point in the future Amanda is just done with it all and goes for a run. She comes to rest on someone's fence and sees them in their garden. And out of nowhere just says: "Hey! I get no sleep, you know? I live here. In your house."

[@Margo.Maelstrom]

Damn amanda killed with those micro expressions, especially at the end when her wife was trying to convince her Reed was harmless absolutely killed it!!💖💖

[@kaptandy7814]

Amanda plays unhinged so well! Must have been from all those years living in Massachusetts. Lol But seriously, the direction is gorgeous and the acting is fantastic. Great job!

[@TR-ru7wl]

As a resident of Massachusetts, everyone is like that

[@thinkingoverthenight]

that cut from the scene where valerie is telling herself to not fall asleep while watching her house at night to her asleep in front of her house at day...such a sexy editing choice.

[@mrfrogkingg]

I've always loved the 'this can't happen/I won't do this' cutting to the 'thing happening/ person(s) doing it' editing choice.

[@Emmah90281]

dude it was such a beautiful shot too

[@itshaiven]

I love that the video recommended to me after this was "certified yapper Spencer Agnew"

[@melbiez]

seeing amanda and angela as wives was something i never knew i needed

[@w339tak]

i've somehow not seen this yet but i just want to say that their names suit the cast really well 😭 i think, if in some parallel universe, ange was a maya and amanda was a valerie, absolutely nothing would change

[@winloesh]

Amanda is a PHENOMENAL ACTRESS OH MY GOD

[@konstelacjabzu9926]

the laugh was amazing I got chills

[@madoompa5183]

Amanda on the verge of tears when she talked to reed caught me off guard on the best way possible

[@OGAngie]

This was so good. I didn't expect to relate so much to this short film from my real life experience. I had a coworker like Reed. She'd make really awkward "jokes" asking about where I lived, asking to borrow my keys, then saying "I need to go to a locksmith and copy a key after work". After she said that, I got a key kiosk notification texted to me a day later and was freaking out. A part of me felt like I was overreacting to her "jokes" and she just had a shitty awkward sense of humor, but I found myself laying awake at night, anxious, waiting to see her. All of my other coworkers loved her and got along with her great, some thought she could be a little awkward, but she was harmless. Another time, she said "your apartment has a pool right?" It does. My city is colder than most, and pools at apartments are rare here and I have NO idea how she knew that. It made my gut do somersaults. Then she said, "I'm not a stalker, but I like to look apartment windows on the first floor." I live on the first floor. I ended up calling the police and telling my boss and HR. The worst part was she was very fake nice and passive aggressive and didn't like me because I was her trainer and I had to reprimand her for risking patient information/data at our job etc. Someone then broke into my house through the front door, didn't steal anything, and left after a few minutes. I actually thought it was my fiance and I called him asking where he went and he never came home. I can't prove it was her, but she absolutely got into my head. I called the police, but there was no evidence and I didn't see who opened my door. I lost my mind slowly, looking behind every door, setting up security cameras, and being on guard 24/7. During the HR meeting where we confronted her about some of her behavior, my heart started pounding out of my chest and I had a cardiac emergency (at only 27) and went to the ER, where I was diagnosed with Graves disease. There's no way to know for certain that this stress triggered it, but I feel strongly that me losing sleep and being an anxious wreck for months triggered my immune system to cause Graves' Disease over the year I had to deal with her and the paranoia. Graves' also causes anxiety/fast heart rate too, so I've just been an absolute wreck. I mean, I'm normally a very rational person, but I started checking every nook and cranny for her or hidden recording devices. I know the Graves' disease did NOT help the situation, but her vague threats were so disconcerting and I felt like an insane person. At the end of the day, in my situation, she probably enjoyed messing with me psychologically because she hated her supervisor (me). It completely traumatized me either way. She finally quit and I've been on paid medical leave after my cardiac emergency, but it's hard for me to process the insanity of what happened. Oddly, this film was cathartic for me, in the fact that my abnormal experience was replicated and so artfully shown by Amanda's acting skills. The back and forth between thinking it was awkward and you're overreacting to feeling absolutely afraid, paranoid, and unhinged is something I could not have presented better. Bravo!

[@EdgarC701]

Wow sorry to hear all that - It's a stark reminder of our collective social/mental fragility and how one coworker/neighbor etc saying upsetting things could make us question everything. I know this isn't possible for everyone (lease agreements) but the first thing I thought "if this happened to me... I'd be dog sitting pronto."

[@OGAngie]

@EdgarC701 I live in a city with very high rent and most places are much more expensive than where I live. Plus, I imagined she'd just find out the next place I moved to somehow. :/ it's amazing how much of your information like your address is accessible online and how hard it is to wipe that info, especially if you're a public employee.

[@zacharynguyen7286]

Hope you’re doing good and staying safe. If you need to talk to someone or need help, there are people who care. Sending support and hearts. ❤️❤️❤️

[@RilyLeweez]

i never thought Patrick could play such a scary character for a movie or short film. I think its because of how he is so happy. a lot of the time some scary characters can be so happy and charmful that it is kinda unsettling.

[@akemib]

amanda is such a good actor, i really hope she can get bigger roles in the future. she's a natural.

[@ROMEOslowmeo]

Reed must be one of those old style vampires that have to be invited in order to enter a home.

[@SupahTrunks7]

I was thinking fae. The idea of “you said these words and now they’re binding”

[@kasenbrown5481]

came for amanda and angela, stayed for patrick

[@hadesisbaby]

patrick was the gd star of this short film (in my opinion)

[@pastapants]

FR! I came from a community post that said amanda was in this and damn!! reed vilhelm you creepy mf!! so good

[@jetlag51]

Maybe he came with you

[@riversidebreeze]

Patrick stayed, too!

[@abigailsnider8348]

Writer, director, and lead

[@egghead1171]

amanda and angela playing wives what GENIUS came up with this

[@mrfrogkingg]

The same genius who came up with the idea of Reed Vilhelm

[@pastelgothboy]

I came to see Amanda and Angela act, initially stayed because i found out they were married, and REALLY was here for the horror. What a good film! :)

[@odysseus2k1]

can't wait for a short film of shayne's 'the guy who just stands there' character and angela. make it like the scream movies, but with humour and without killings, just shayne just standing and stalking her. and then have tommy's 'mental illness' character to show up and asks angela about her mental illness, making her think that it's probably just her imagination and that shayne's character doesn't exist. and then the whole film would just turn dark and uncanny.

[@nevelansdown8297]

No but the bystander bit is sort of what this film is. Like when angela says “I called the police but they won’t do anything because all he does is stand there”. Like Reed is technically not doing anything wrong if he’s not actually living in the house but my god is he creepy

[@tangibleterror2421]

can we get a crowdfunding campaign to make this a full length film? I didnt want it to end. Patrick is a boss, Amanda killed it, Angela was amazing. Its a great short 10 out of 10 🎃s can I get some "pumpkins in the chat, pumpkins in the chat" from all who agree?

[@Yivia]

🎃

[@finnngo5914]

🎃

[@bubblez2.079]

🎃

[@henrygodfreymusic]

I'm going to be thinking about the coyote monologue and the kaleidoscope of interpretations for months

[@mrfrogkingg]

The line "Now I'm not a coyote, I'm a human man." fucked me up cause I was getting convinced that he didn't deserve to be kicked out but god, the things a human man is capable of.

[@masamune2984]

I clicked on this thinking “hey! Three of my absolute favorite Smosh people made a short film!” Honestly? I was genuinely ENTHRALLED.

[@AchievingAllOfMe]

Coincidentally, this is very accurate in depicting life with PTSD episodes after having a stalker and repeat break ins to your place that aren’t always so obvious. You become obsessed with finding the answer to end it all- you do have to tell yourself the threat is gone over and over to regain any sense of normality. Very therapeutic for me to see the but in would have loved to talk to the writer to figure out where the inspiration came from.

[@hel2454]

The idea of amanda jumping to see the back of a cabinet is amazing

[@sancheezo9154]

Honestly this was such an incredible short film, it fully had me locked in. It even got me scared of random ass noises in my house. Everything just looked stunning and Amanda, Patrick & Angela all did amazing jobs. Everyone who worked on this should be proud of themselves because this was so amazing, the cinematography had me fully hooked, it just looked so stunning oh and Patrick, you scared the shit out of me

[@mrfrogkingg]

The fucking "hi" at the end and Maya casually saying yeah to Valerie's "did you hear that"? I got chills, man.

[@AmandaBear26]

This was so terrifying. The perfect blend of horror and comedy. That little "hi" at the end will haunt me... And it just gives so many questions. Was Reed real or was he all in her head? The coyote monologue makes me think that he's made to symbolize something, like mental illness or grief. Amazing work, Patrick! (And I also love the choice to cast Amanda and Angela as a married couple)

[@Quackdragon92]

My theory is he symbolizes paranoia, especially paranoia about being safe in your own home, I think the reason Angela’s character is okay with the “hi” is highlighting how people react differently to paranoia and struggle differently.

[@NicoAtNight]

Amanda's face turning when she decides to go along with it and pretend he's gone - wow! Watched that part a few times. This is so good, I was totally hooked.

[@wiggogYwrath]

Rewatching after the Q&A and now i cant unsee that patrick is walking on those apple boxes

[@bluemoon7785]

For me this short film is a metaphor for fear. When you believe something is real, no matter how ridiculous or improbable that fear is, it becomes real to you. I'm sure we all have experienced that fear of feeling like someone or something is watching us. A strange presence, a monster lurking in the shadows. The moment we allow our fears to take control, they become our reality. Maybe there was no guy to begin with, how could he have come in with all the locks closed? But she believed it.

[@F1nn_thehuman]

i have three things to say about this 1. this is so good it needs to be a full movie now 2. amanda and angela as wifes is so funny 3. all of the acting is so damn good im so used to see these guys being funny that seeing like this is wild and so creepy

[@grace-ck7gl]

I was genuinely so immersed into this world that I not only forgot that this was “Amanda from Smosh!” And “Patrick from Smosh!” But LITERAL chills went down my spine dude 😭😭 big congrats to everyone involved!!!

[@infinitepaladin]

Amanda being a tall person and having a hard time looking over at 4:06 got me giggling

[@underscorekay]

ok so since I keep coming back to this film and the qna I just gotta say: this is literally my favorite short film ever. I really saw myself in valarie, I can be very overly-anxious and i’ve always had a very bad fear of home intruders (fun fact, my parents had to tell me santa wasn’t real very early on bc the idea of a man coming into our house was horrifying to child me), so I just felt very seen by her. I fucking LOVE reed and how he’s written; how indirectly threatening he is, how he toys with valerie, that AMAZING coyote speech, etc. I have thought so much about this film since its release and it’s even become a big inspiration for a personal project im working on rn. i’ve even made some of my friends watch it so I can freak out about it with other people. I just needed to verbalize my love for this film!!!! incredibly excited for whatever comes next, whether it’s these three again or something completely new. anyways, tea? tea? tea? tea?

[@mikfox0417]

Absolutely astonishing getting to see Amanda and Patrick show off their non-comedy acting/directing chops- this completely sincerely scared the shit out of me.

[@TheJege12]

Everyone's acting is so incredible here, Valerie slowly going crazy just over the possibility that Reed could in fact be in the house is done so well, and Patrick has this goofy yet absolutely chilling vibe in every scene he's in, especially the coyote monologue! Amazing job everyone!

[@abbybaudhuin7859]

The ending actually scared the shit out of me oh my god. I feel like he’s under my bed right now💀

[@lolxna5103]

maya telling him he can come over anytime is wild. even if hes joking hes still a WEIRDO🤦‍♀️ edit: also phrogging is something ive always found so interesting so i really enjoyed this !!

[@mrfrogkingg]

Phrogging. New word to act to my dictionary.

[@violet.trying]

help why is phrogging such a silly word with such a serious meaning. "i'm a phrogger" "haha you sure are"

[@mirroredhour]

I've heard the term before but only spoken so I thought it aas spelt "frogging" this entire time. Didn't understand what frogs would have to do with it.

[@lindwurmchen]

I love when stories like the coyote incident come up. Makes you really think about the concept of what's happening right now. And the choice with the neon clothing is absolutely amazing. Such a great short film!

[@MAya-bs8ik]

One of the comments mentioned Amanda's expressions and YESYESYES!!! The stress when she's working, the way she looks between her work and Reed at the beginning but completely focuses on just him when he comes by. The way her smile falls when things freak her out at first but because she isnt confident someone will believe her, she just starts to pull a fake smile. How focused she is on her computer and crazed while searching the house, the way her hair is back to normal but her expressions are so forced after her lil' breakdown, the way she jumps at the sound of Reed's voice, the LOOK she gives Angela when she says "come by anytime," and the Super Forced smile when Angela repeats it??? Angelas voice fading out while Amanda is freaking out, the way her eyes just SLIGHTLY widen when he says "hi!" at the end. Im obsessed!!! I need Patrick to start a channel where he just makes good short films and sequels like Aunty Mabel and Mama Agnes