Attack of the Brainsucker (2012)
Directed by: Sid Zanforlin
Written by: Chris Bavota, Sid Zanforlin
Starring: Alex Weiner, Arthur Holden, Janine Theriault, Jeff Lefebvre, Keyanna Fielding, Neil Napier
ATTACK OF THE BRAINSUCKER (2013)
Directed by Sid Zanforlin
Screened at Grimmfest 2013
Set in the Sixties, ATTACK OF THE BRAINSUCKER follows the story of a little girl named Samantha, who loves classic B-movies and monsters. With drawings all over her bedroom walls of her favourite sci-fi creatures, her parents become concerned for her wellbeing, especially when her vivid imagination takes over, so they decide to seek help from the latest scientific breakthrough.
ATTACK OF THE BRAINSUCKER is a frightening, dark and sad tale of a young girl, who’s foolish parents do something more horrific than they could ever imagine through their blind faith in ‘science’ and quest to turn their daughter ‘normal’. Fearing their daughter is going crazy, Eileen and Claude Delormier book Samantha in with Dr. Leonard, who’s methods will see the girl rid of her sci-fi fantasies.
This tragic story is horrifying to the core, and director and co-writer Sid Zanforlin does a terrific job of creating the short as a B-movie homage and also as a standalone short film on the acceptance of social ‘norms’. Keyanna Fielding is likable as the young girl who’s obsession with classic horror monster movies and visits from her brother get her into trouble with her parents. Neil Napier is her concerned father, who goes ahead with his wife’s plans to see the specialist to cure her. Sitting in the doctor’s room, it is clear he is uncomfortable with it all, whilst his wife Eileen, played by Janine Theriault, is cold and callous, a woman who just wants to have an abiding, quiet daughter.
Whilst not your typical horror film, the actual core of the story will shock and disturb you, leaving a deeply upsetting feeling within your heart. This short film actually affected quite a few people at Grimmfest 2013 film festival who I spoke to, and they noted it as one of their favourites of the festival, and I have to agree.
The film is beautifully shot, scripted and edited, with a particular nod to the sound department, who’s work on the film makes the story all the more harrowing. A visual delight, with a poignant finale, makes the short one of the standouts in modern cinema.
I think we all sympathised with Samantha in ATTACK OF THE BRAINSUCKER and what ensues in the film is sometimes hard to stomach. A powerful, emotional short film that must be seen.
OMG I saw this short yesterday and I didn’t feel scared at all,Just surprised,I remember reading about lobtomies back in the old days,It is so cruel what they did to mentally ill people adults and children alike back in the the real life old days,Is it really illegal nowadays?
Also did the people who got this prodcure went to live on happy lives and still see and talk or did they die from it?
I’ve heard stories about how lobotomies killed people including Electroshock therapy,By the way I handled this cause I love horror I also like the special effects make-up including at the end,I also enjoyed this short film.
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Hey Cassie, thanks for commenting. I’m no doctor so don’t quote me on this but I’d imagine if you were lobotomised, you’d probably end up having some disability, be it physically or mentally as a result of the procedure. That and electro shock treatment are both horrendous. I’ve just Googled it and apparently lobotomies are still conducted! Eeeep!
Glad you enjoyed the short. It’s been a fair few years since I saw it but good to know that the film is still getting some views. 🙂
Thanks for the reply,Like I said I am a fan of horror but I have a fear of needles and when I watch horror stuff that involves this kind of thing I handle it cause I know it’s not real but in real life I get scared and this is why I refuse to get shots and blood tests.
When it’s other people in real life like a family member or a friend I usually turn my head.
Also one more thing I hope anyone I know doesn’t get lobotomised,I hope any of my ancestors didn’t get it back in those days either.
Oops sorry Those 4 question makes you see are supposed to be emojis.