I’m so happy to finally see this short film. Words Like Knives comes from the same writer who penned What They Say – Kelsey Zukowski. So, in other words, I knew this viewing was going to be filled with plot twists, a variety of themes, and of course – horrific elements. But was I correct on this assumption? Read on to find out.
In Words Like Knives, a young high school students life is shattered when the most popular girl in school starts a horrible rumor about her. As close friends turn their backs on her, poor Emma slips deeper and deeper into the abyss and is pushed to the brink of insanity. She can only be pushed so far…so Emma decides to push back.
Words Like Knives is written and stars Kelsey Zukowski, and is directed by Travis Legge. This short horror-drama also stars Michael Wexler (Doctor Spine), Melissa Revels (The Darkening), Myke Wilson (“The Mob Doctor”), and Michael Dilacova (Event Invitation).
The first thing I need to address with Words Like Knives is the theme. It’s obvious, right? Bullying. This is a poignant topic that is raging in America right now. Zukowski and Legge put together a realistic portrayal of what bullying victims go through. The worst part is those “if you see something, tell someone” commercials generally don’t happen in real life and bullying victims usually don’t have a happy ending. There’s a whole five page social commentary I can type about this subject, but I’ll just say this is an awesome topic to do a horror short on. It’s refreshing too as most writers/film makers would automatically go the “tortured student seeks revenge as a slasher route,” and Words Like Knives never goes there. Major props to the Knives team for tackling a real subject with originality.
Next thing I’d like to address is the acting. This is the first time I’ve seen Kelsey Zukowski and Myke Wilson act in a large capacity. I know they’re great film makers, but I’m very happy with their acting chops in Words Like Knives too. Melissa Revels is great as always, and I appreciate Michael Wexler here much more than I did in Paranormal Calamity. Hell, even Travis Legge did a better job directing here than with a previous film. Not that I think he was a horrible director, I just think he’s gotten better and people who were on the fence like me will look at Words Like Knives and think, “iight. He’s filming like a boss now.”
The gore was saved mostly for the end, but I was very happy with the presentation. With all of this in mind, was there anything I didn’t like about Words Like Knives? Well, there was an editing issue or two at the beginning and some audio trouble towards the end, but nothing that would subtract from the overall production quality of the film. The plot was also…a little confusing at times, to be honest. Is there two Dads? Is it all in her head? What really happened? I’m left not completely clear, although I have a hunch that links it all together.
Words Like Knives is the perfect horror-drama, jam packed with twists and turns…and gore and boobs. And it makes you think about a current world topic. I thoroughly enjoyed viewing this short film and I hope that you all get a chance to see it one day soon too.
