Trapped – Short Film Review

Disorientating and mysterious events unfold in a dreamlike state that never seems to end.

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Directed by Fazeel AJ, Trapped is a good example of an exercise in tension building. From the opening shot, the viewer is disorientated as the ominous events begin to unfold.

The music is tense and apprehensive which adds throughout to the growing sense of confusion. Considering that the film was shot entirely on a phone, there are some good aspects of cinematography. Creative angles and POV shots really add to the sense of unease.

The protagonist, played by Dhanushand, navigates his own apartment with caution. As if he is afraid of himself and his own urges. Dhanushand executes this character with ease. As we reach the climax of the film, it becomes apparent that his own habits have trapped him in a vicious cycle of paranoia. The use of slow motion in the film really captures the sense of an altered reality. But the real question remains unanswered: is this truly reality or rather the twisted mental projections of a man confined within addiction?