Horror Short Film "Penumbra" | ALTER

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When Dori's sister Fae returns from a recovery center, Dori begins to suspect someone is stalking her. But what's coming for them is not of this world.
"Penumbra" by Daniel Byers
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More About "Penumbra":
Something's wrong with Fae. She's been going missing without explanation, winding up in a recovery center. Her younger sister, Dori, is worried. Is Fae schizophrenic? Is there really someone stalking her? She sneaks a look at Fae's diary, and what she sees is disturbing: a drawing of something monstrous, made of shadows and tentacles. Suddenly, the lights start to fail. There's something coming for Fae, but Dori soon discovers that whatever it is - it's not of this world. As objects begin levitating and Fae is pulled into the sky by an unseen force, Dori risks everything to save her.
"Penumbra" Credits:
Dori: Quinn Jackson
Fae: Liala Layther
Mom: Claudia Sersanti
Director, Writer: Daniel Byers
Producer: Ivan Durovic
Director of Photography: Sam Eilertsen
Production Design, Makeup: Christian Masters
Associate Producer: Tim Judd, Alissa Ramjit
Gaffer: Robert Jones
Grip: Felix Van Kann, Walker Smith
Assistant Camera: Ivan Durovic, Adam Jackson
Additional Camera, Aerials: Daniel Byers
Sound Recording: Eric Yang, Ari Benkov
Edit, VFX, Color, Sound Design: Daniel Byers
Sound Mix: Gilda Garcia
Original Score: Kat Vokes
Original Sound Effects: Barbara Byers
Casting Director: Rachel Ward
Original Song “Sweet Summer” by Barbara Byers
About ALTER:
ALTER is an ever-expanding platform for the most daring storytellers in the world of horror. We are a home, community and launching pad for our filmmakers. Slip into the dark, disturbing corners of cutting-edge horror.
Filmmakers should visit filmfreeway.co... to submit your horror shorts. (Only completed horror shorts will be considered. Unsolicited scripts or pitches will be immediately deleted without review.)
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Video Title
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[@darda2449]

This could be an allegory for mental illness, in a way. But as straight-up horror/fantasy, it works very well, and on several levels. The horror of separation-both physically and emotionally-from a loved one, and of the fragmenting of a mind; the horror of the unknown, the unexplained, with the fear of following where another has surely slipped into a strangeness beyond understanding, and sanity. Mr. Byers... This was a satisfying short film.

[@observationsfromthefencepo7207]

Nice call on the Mental Illness allegory. There is a fine line between mental illness and horror.

[@SeeMeRolling]

Love your interpretation!

[@darda2449]

@@observationsfromthefencepo7207 Thank you. And I've walked that one before...

[@darda2449]

@@SeeMeRolling Thank you!

[@sarahrivero14]

I completely agree with your insight. For me, it showed how trauma and post traumatic stress can be passed on. Initially, you see that the sister is suicidal and afraid of a dark entity. This can be the manifestation of her depression or her "demon" if you will. Inevitably she floats out of the sister's reach, who is close to but unable to save her. At the end she is left on solid ground carrying the weight of the fear and pain her sister left behind. We see this as she holds her sister's journal. This was brilliant.

[@clarkwilson711]

OMG!! This was such a great horror short. It was a very terrifying and the plot was epic. I hope this story makes a part 2. Im addicted to alter films. Bravo to the sister and director. Please make more

[@fallen_star977]

This was a masterpiece.

[@danielbyers]

🙏🙏

[@kunaldev1257]

Why all the houses in horror movies r isolated

[@Tiarles07]

how do i find this song? 👉 1:51

[@Hereandlearning]

This was fantastic, the atmosphere, camera angles and special effects simply stellar! Enjoyed every minute thank you!! Hope to see more from you

[@danielbyers]

Thanks Priscilla!

[@fraternoman9579]

Penumbra is one of my favourite words, and was the name of my high school metal band, so I had to give this one a go. The movie is fantastic: the ladies carried the story beautifully, the scares worked well ... but what made the movie so immersive for me was the gorgeous score and the incredible camera work and lighting. Well done to all involved. I'm eager to see more.

[@dominickscalpi5686]

I honestly thought the journal was going to be blank when she opened it at the end. When her sister disappeared in the sky it looked like a giant ink blot pouring from the place she disappeared. Obviously I was wrong lol I didn't expect her to become basically possessed and being forced to write in the journal.

[@daygarrett5833]

She took her place her place she had on the same outfit and all

[@areneowenaze]

Did anybody notice the heart shape the women's bodies created when they were by the swing?

[@eyecyu2399]

Timestamp?

[@stanlee69]

where is she? Gone!!! Reduced to atoms

[@edyak6280]

Pretty cool this one. Intriguing, and great performances from both actors too. Congratulations to all involved.

[@elombard39]

This was SO GOOD! I’d love to see more from you. Thank you for sharing….

[@datastorm75]

A rotary phone?

[@denisesudell2538]

My mom had a rotary phone until around 2016.

[@shortvlogs276]

Hello my good friend so beautiful video thanks for sharing stay safe always full support ✅❤️🔔👍❤️❤️

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

What a beauty. Magnificent short film.

[@mareir]

Loved both actresses, really well done. Her back would have snapped like a Slim Jim from that height.

[@RainbowTheSnail]

The name reminded me of the game. Great horror short 🌸💗🌸

[@simonl4523]

Someone commented below that this could be an allegory for mental illness. But I wonder if, in the real world, we use metal illness itself as an allegory for things that we are afraid of, or find too difficult to look at? (I ask that from the experience that I have every day to contend with being mentally unwell). I liked the movie, the scene where you have people floating before the night sky was really ambitious, it must have been a particularly hard scene to pull off technically. Using a journal to depict a slow descent into madness over time is I suppose a bit of a cliche in the medium of film, as it is such a difficult thing to do in a single scene, but it was done so well that it was really effective in building up the horror vibe. Thank you for all the work and love that went into doing this, and thank you for making it available on Alter so that we get the chance to see your work. 😊

[@jeusgarcia8597]

*BEST COMMENT ON THIS THREAD*

[@alexandrehventura]

Simplesmente perfeito.

[@observationsfromthefencepo7207]

This was a superb horror short. It has a Lovecraft feel as there is something sinister lurking right under the threshold of reality and rooted in an evil darkness. Perfect title for the work too. Shadows will always be a staple of horror and this one delivered. I was surprised with the gravity and floating angle and the scenes in this area looked good. Very impressive for a short film. You felt for Fay and Dory and Fay's sacrifice felt genuine and seeing whatever the penumbra is return for Dory delivered the goosebumps. Always good to see vinyl and music worked into a story. The "come inside" and locking Dory out was in my opinion a fear reaction by Fay. I did laugh at it though. I believe in positive reviews and this one was earned. Short films are never an easy endeavor and therefore many thanks and great job to director, cast and crew. Peace.

[@danielbyers]

Awesome. Thanks.

[@lourdesroman5186]

If the rope went all the way up into the sky then how did she not hit the ground seeing that the porch was only about 10 feet?

[@morphean2438]

How did she fall that distance and not have her back broke at the very least?

[@MisterG2323]

I think the suggestion was that she was lowered, rather than fell.

[@tomwitherby4348]

Movie magic 😁

[@northernhighlandmist1478]

Great acting, composition, special effects, and story telling for a short! This so worth a full length movie!

[@coartramey7382]

I'm not saying it's aliens, but...

[@danielbyers]

Whaaat?

[@Penumbrasite]

Heh….. that’s the name of my channel lol..

[@tanrose8645]

WOWEEEEEEEEEE! 👏🏻👏🏻🤸🏼‍♀️🤸🏼‍♀️🤸🏼‍♀️ THIS was GREAT❣️👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻🌹 This should be made into a movie!🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 Blessings to you and your viewers~ Have a great day🌹 🌛🌹🌜

[@welder878]

Another one so bad they use black screen so you can't see anything Just listen.

[@MisterG2323]

Caught this when it first hit on Dust. Liked it then and like it just as much now; thanks for the encore. Quinn is an actor to keep an eye on

[@dylanprince410]

Always excited to see a new video!

[@7wayOrNoWay]

Pen-umbra..... yall get it

[@raisedbywolf]

I swear I've seen the same movie in Sci - fi genre. Probably on DUST channel.

[@danielbyers]

Yes it was on Dust previously, they just launched on Alter as well :)

[@durasaxon5131]

Excellent effects. Well done. Scary. The bond between sisters. Strength. Love. Fear. The Paranormal. Reality? Abduction. Unbelievable. Aftermath. Well presented production. + Durasaxon +

[@jamesmorgan1063]

An eerie twist emulating "Fire on the mountain" and the abduction scenario.

[@kristynash1042]

Love that movie!! So good!

[@paullevine1813]

Very Lovecraftian & as most Alter Films this leaves you to interpret it in many ways. As most of Lovecraft's Elder Gods live in that realm of the universe it wasn't a surprise to the last part of the film goes there. For me this was one of many elder gods or old ones just looking for evil. Got it's wish .. Just my way of looking at the film. A nice twist from the rip your face off slasher shorts where either the person is possessed by something & kills for fun ,no gore often gives you more creeps than a slashed throat . More a Cosmic Horror short than straight up one. Great short !!! Love the ending as it begins all over for her sister. As we understand the term Penumbra i believe all the meanings apply here.

[@recoveringmytruth8162]

Homage to H. P. Lovecraft

[@salehaharun315]

The last part seems like somthing controlling her hand. By the looks of her face

[@CheeryCinccino]

This was pretty good :3 It would be cool to see a compilation of deaths throughout Alter’s films btw

[@jomontanee]

Fantastic idea!!

[@a.m.pietroschek1972]

Refreshing, when people don't allow `low budget´ to impair their creativity. I think, horror in all subgenres needs more of that.

[@Krishabh_Agrawal]

Amazing

[@calowenby1654]

I liked this quite a bit! Some of the effects were a little off imo but the execution of the story was fantastic, and I loved the ending.

[@Syrphe]

At the beginning, we can hear the vinyl crackles before the needle touches the record...

[@rahulchandrance3064]

Very nice❤️

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

Also that dark thing is rude. Fay told it it could not have Dory but did it listen? No!

[@ptehehehe]

a wholedamn masterpiece

[@GeekChicPolitiq]

This definitely has potential to be a feature length film.

[@MalkuthSephira]

and now it's Dori's turn to not be believed. oof. really excellent short! great concept, great acting, great effects. the performances specifically are incredibly vivid, too. i feel like i know a lot more about both sisters than is ever actually said, just from expressions, gestures, etc. thank you for making something awesome

[@dragonprincehehehee]

Oh..

[@000aleph]

Very immersive, with some very special elements. I like it!

[@moniquevandeplas5210]

I think I was going to watch this when it first came out but I was so busy catching up that I got so tired and paused watching it. Now it's 5 months later and I am once again catching up on ALTER. This was fantastic. Sad but fantastic. The protection sisters give each other is something that is relatable to me and appreciated by me.

[@angeliki5104]

Bravissimi !!!!!

[@abubaseet]

Far, far better than your average horror short.

[@williamtaube5500]

banger

[@xTRich78x]

Of the hundreds of short horror videos that I have seen on YT, it’s this one I find to be truly the scariest of them all.

[@doriancarnesi1727]

Brilliant acting****effects***sound***should be a full length movie ****superb❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@suevans6436]

superb acting

[@ieatcaribou7852]

Why do so many of these shorts do this?! They start strong, powerful even, but then just end with no explanation whatsoever. It ruins the entire experience. ***spoilers*** What’s with the writing at the end? I get the whole alien abduction schtick, but the writing makes no sense. Was it her sister? The creature? I swear many of these shorts start off great and end pitiful. 30 seconds of explaining could turn a dud into a masterpiece.

[@shuga1313]

The heart they created @12:43 ..... Once you see it .....

[@Mahuoqy]

Excellent Perception genius

[@IamLookingforWoody_________786]

Slenderman

[@curiousaustriantours6962]

Incredible film - bravo!

[@melancolielupine2023]

This film was so good that I had to replay it a second time. And it tells a lot

[@simmiroka1829]

Does that book cursed???

[@backlottpictures4929]

This was amazing!!

[@belalugosidead]

Can someone please offer me a theory or explanation on this..?

[@ScottNormanRosenthal]

Also my question.

[@xain86k70]

This felt a lot like The Knowing to me.

[@michellemccloy365]

I'm not getting it either. Something to do with mental illness maybe?

[@ScottNormanRosenthal]

@@michellemccloy365 Maybe there was only one person? Never a "sister".

[@JULIASMITH-eg9kp]

❤😮 0:12

[@sidharthsahoo8325]

i think this is a general problem with younger siblings that they don't pay heed to their elders and the elder sibling saving their lives in their last moments

[@marijazlatanovic1391]

Not with my most beloved sister and me.

[@gheata_playz874]

@@marijazlatanovic1391 at least you actually have a bond with your sister

[@marijazlatanovic1391]

@@gheata_playz874 yes. Unbreakable.

[@shrutithapa9605]

🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴

[@bluerainwalker5463]

wow great loved it want more of this story sp many ways it could go

[@christianwag3015]

JEEPERS CREEPER 😃😁

[@LSBraham]

The actress playing Dori…is she giving anyone else Debra Winger vibes!? …Wow!

[@Frannie_Hoten]

Anyone else click this wondering what if it was some how related to The Penumbra podcast?

[@CattleDog2856]

So good!!!!!

[@deanbarnette1602]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@AK-10001]

Gravitationaless ghost🤭

[@trionfreeman3935]

This HAS to be a full movie!!! Phenomenal!!!

[@Mirko-tl2ed]

Is this your first time watching a movie?

[@Trreacherous]

Honestly, these actors did a great job.

[@Lcashaylove]

What in the hell was that… 😑 exactly why I need to not watch things based off of comments bc this sucked.

[@detrajackson5992]

Whew! That singing!! I could have done without!She had my ears jumping!😱

[@christinaegbert3651]

I need more I want more

[@PikaPikaZoo]

I like it

[@-JA-]

🖤

[@aikorose8258]

honestly, meh. it had a lot of potential but the outer space scene was cringe

[@lucieblindner2513]

Wow! This was AMAZING! ALTER is getting better and better! Keep it up!

[@TheSemtis]

What happen to her at the end?

[@jinx17]

that shot of them against the night sky was so beautiful i had to watch that scene twice

[@oldschool8432]

Another one where the cameraman forgot to take the lens cover off

[@danielwagman9794]

I had a black screen too at first-- I have no idea why-- but I futzed around with the slide touch ff/rev with inset picture, and then the picture appeared normally, even back to the beginning. So,,,try again! 😁

[@katiestall2201]

Very well done 👍

[@lacecox8920]

Woah

[@gheata_playz874]

theres a character in villainous called penumbra

[@cynthiapalmer6176]

very nice 👍🏼😃

[@SullyBrabants]

Someone please tell me what the name of the song is, it haunts me !

[@dablakmark8]

how the hell can you leave us like this.....hanging, this is so damn good.I want a full 90 minute short please.Everything from production t osound to light and location is balissomo.

[@RubabJaffery_CuteSagittarius]

*90 minute short!* 😄

[@gheata_playz874]

"short"

[@mariajulien-harris146]

Well done

[@monkeypooh9014]

🔥 Pure 🔥

[@TheSnatchbuckler]

This was well on it's way to being the absolute best thing I've seen on Alter in a very, very long time. Was.

[@anthonysanderson6533]

Great flim too bad there's no part too

[@DanBCooper]

Actresses were outstanding. Short was very different from the norm, really enjoyed it.

[@richparsons4205]

Soooo BIZARRE!!! TOOO BIZARRE!

[@mentalhealthpoet]

Who did the drawings?

[@tkell31]

Was there really a sister at all?

[@bostonreese4807]

This was really good