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Under a Bad Moon

Synopsis

A former sheriff deputy moves to the country after a breakdown following her partner’s murder. The perpetrator is still at large when she awakens to the sound of a gunshot and distressing voices. She seeks out the source and finds a dead body, and three young men and a woman. She’s forced to deal with her trauma so she can handle the situation at hand.

Review

5/5
A thriller that explores one woman’s act of retribution.
Written and directed by Stephen Franklin Blanton, ‘Under a Bad Moon’ is a short thriller film that explores a woman’s personal deed of justice. Deanna Shaekel leads the cast as Roxanne, a reclusive ex-cop who retreats to the idyllic countryside following the unsolved murder of her partner. The film showcases themes of revenge, retribution and female empowerment. A gripping tale from start to finish.

The 17-minute film opens with Roxanne canoeing on the placid waters that surround her new refuge. The tranquility of nature presents her a sense of peace following her recent anguish. During night fall, upon reflection of past trauma, Roxanne is startled by her barking dog and a nearby gunshot. Instinctively, she fetches her compound bow and progresses to the scene. Upon arrival, she uncovers the deceased and observes the assault of a young woman. The thriller probes our protagonist’s inner turmoil with her fearless acts of retaliation on the perpetrators.

Under a Bad Moon Short Film
Deanna Shaekel (Roxanne) delivers an impressive performance throughout – a robust delivery that brings empathy and complexity to the character. Cinematography is enhanced by striking natural surroundings and attentive lighting. Stephen Franklin Blaton has created an extraordinary film that poignantly explores the protagonist’s trauma, emotional pain and exigency for retribution. Production value is elevated by the outstanding cinematography – wrapped up with neat editing, music and sound. A chilling watch. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Stephen Franklin Blanton
Writer(s): Stephen Franklin Blanton
Cast: Britton Johnson Hollingsworth, Deanna Shaekel, Leslie Craven, Matthew James Bucklew, Michael Berthold, Sean Heslep, Veronika Stoykova
Producer(s): Cynthia Marie Breed, Stephen Franklin Blanton
Director of Photography: Dan Dennis
Editor(s): Jason Derfuss
Animation:
Sound: Michael Helms
Music: Frank Starchak Starchak,Kenioun Cooper
Miscellaneous: Bruce Marcho,Christy Alexander,Dan Schimke,Dawn Lemay,Kimberly Cobb,Louisa Caudron,RJ Istvan

Specifications

Genre: Action, Thriller
Subjects: Crime, Female Empowerment, Murder, Revenge
Country: United States
Language: English
Year: 2021
Publication Date:
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Cast/Crew

Director(s): Stephen Franklin Blanton
Writer(s): Stephen Franklin Blanton
Cast: Britton Johnson Hollingsworth, Deanna Shaekel, Leslie Craven, Matthew James Bucklew, Michael Berthold, Sean Heslep, Veronika Stoykova
Producer(s): Cynthia Marie Breed, Stephen Franklin Blanton
Director of Photography: Dan Dennis
Editor(s): Jason Derfuss
Animation:
Sound: Michael Helms
Music: Frank Starchak Starchak,Kenioun Cooper
Miscellaneous: Bruce Marcho,Christy Alexander,Dan Schimke,Dawn Lemay,Kimberly Cobb,Louisa Caudron,RJ Istvan

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Genre: Action, Thriller
Subjects: Crime, Female Empowerment, Murder, Revenge
Country: United States
Language: English
Year: 2021

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Under a Bad Moon

Synopsis

A former sheriff deputy moves to the country after a breakdown following her partner’s murder. The perpetrator is still at large when she awakens to the sound of a gunshot and distressing voices. She seeks out the source and finds a dead body, and three young men and a woman. She’s forced to deal with her trauma so she can handle the situation at hand.

Review

A thriller that explores one woman's act of retribution.

5/5
Written and directed by Stephen Franklin Blanton, ‘Under a Bad Moon’ is a short thriller film that explores a woman’s personal deed of justice. Deanna Shaekel leads the cast as Roxanne, a reclusive ex-cop who retreats to the idyllic countryside following the unsolved murder of her partner. The film showcases themes of revenge, retribution and female empowerment. A gripping tale from start to finish.

The 17-minute film opens with Roxanne canoeing on the placid waters that surround her new refuge. The tranquility of nature presents her a sense of peace following her recent anguish. During night fall, upon reflection of past trauma, Roxanne is startled by her barking dog and a nearby gunshot. Instinctively, she fetches her compound bow and progresses to the scene. Upon arrival, she uncovers the deceased and observes the assault of a young woman. The thriller probes our protagonist’s inner turmoil with her fearless acts of retaliation on the perpetrators.

Under a Bad Moon Short Film
Deanna Shaekel (Roxanne) delivers an impressive performance throughout – a robust delivery that brings empathy and complexity to the character. Cinematography is enhanced by striking natural surroundings and attentive lighting. Stephen Franklin Blaton has created an extraordinary film that poignantly explores the protagonist’s trauma, emotional pain and exigency for retribution. Production value is elevated by the outstanding cinematography – wrapped up with neat editing, music and sound. A chilling watch. Highly recommended.

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