🎬 SHORTCUT (2020): A DEADLY DETOUR – WHERE DARKNESS HUNTS

"They entered the tunnel hoping to escape the unknown… but the real nightmare was already inside."

🌘 INTRO – SOMETIMES THE SHORTEST WAY LEADS TO THE DARKEST PLACE
Shortcut is a low-budget independent Italian horror film, shot in English, that tells the story of a group of high school students who stumble into a nightmare after their bus takes an unexpected detour—a shortcut through the woods where darkness is far more than just the absence of light.

This film blends survival horror reminiscent of The Descent, the coming-of-age group dynamic of It, and supernatural monster elements rooted in European folklore – crafting a tense, modern dark fairytale.

🚍 PLOT – TEENS VS THE UNKNOWN
On a gloomy day, five high school students—Nolan, Bess, Reggie, Queenie, and Karl—are aboard a school bus passing through the remote English countryside. A sudden roadblock forces the driver to take a rarely used shortcut. At first, it seems like a minor inconvenience, but it soon turns into a nightmarish detour.

Out of nowhere, their bus is attacked by a mysterious creature—a shadow-dwelling predator, ancient and unseen. The driver disappears, and the teens are left stranded near an abandoned military tunnel system with no cell signal, no help, and no light to protect them.

Trapped underground, they must face their fears, overcome personal conflicts, and unite to confront a terrifying force that may have been waiting for them all along.

🧟‍♂️ THE MONSTER – A LEGEND IN THE DARK
The creature has no official name but is depicted as an ancient, feral being that hunts in darkness, tracking sound and movement. Its design is both obscure and horrifying, reminiscent of monsters from Jeepers Creepers or The Ritual.

Interestingly, the film gives no concrete backstory for the creature, leaving viewers wondering:

“Is this a real monster, or a manifestation of human fear and guilt?”

🔍 THEMES – COMING OF AGE IN THE DARK
Beyond the surface of a survival horror tale, Shortcut also serves as a metaphor for growing up. Each teen character faces personal fears: helplessness, loss of trust, guilt, and the fear of being left behind.

In the dark, they learn to trust, to lead, to sacrifice, and most importantly—to stand up to what cannot be named.

🎥 CINEMATIC STYLE – LESS IS MORE
Short and sharp: With a runtime of just 80 minutes, the film maintains a tight, suspenseful pace without filler.

Retro vibe: The visual tone and setting evoke classic horror from the ‘80s.

Practical effects: The monster is brought to life with practical effects, avoiding CGI and adding to its realism.

Claustrophobic setting: Most of the film takes place in a dark tunnel, creating constant tension and unease.

🌟 RECEPTION AND CRITICS
IMDb rating: 4.0 / 10 – While some viewers found the plot simplistic, horror fans appreciated its mood and monster design.

Cult horror appeal: Not a blockbuster, but it carved out a niche among fans of confined survival horror.

Best for: Viewers who enjoy creature features, dark tunnels, and light psychological themes.

🔚 CONCLUSION – A SHORTCUT TO NOWHERE
Shortcut (2020) is a horror road trip gone terribly wrong – not overly gory or loud, but undeniably unsettling. It’s a chilling reminder that:

“Sometimes, the quickest way out… is the fastest way in.”