Set against the harsh realities of skyrocketing rents, mass displacement, and soulless gentrification, HALFWAY HAUNTED dares to imagine a world where the supernatural becomes a tenant’s final ally. Written and directed by Rudykoff, this genre-bending short film offers a darkly comedic, politically charged take on the housing crisis – following the unlikely partnership between a desperate renter and the ghost haunting her apartment. Together, they take on a ruthless real estate developer bent on erasing not just their home, but the history and community that it represents
A haunted house story with bite, HALFWAY HAUNTED combines heart and horror with sharp social critique. By inverting classic horror tropes, the film transforms the ghost from a threat into a symbol of resistance. In today’s housing market, it’s not the ghost who haunts you – it’s the landlord.
Toronto-based filmmaker Sam Rudykoff, known for his award-winning short Cruise (which screened at over 75 international festivals), taps into the anguish and anger of lifelong renters to craft a timely and unsettling metaphor about the fight to hold onto one’s place in the world.
“There’s a feeling of total helplessness when you’re dealing with a bad landlord. It’s really dreadful knowing that some jerk has absolute power over whether you have a place to live.” Rudykoff says. “I’d much rather put up with a bit of haunting if I had the choice- so I made a film where somebody does have the choice.”
The film is produced by Mark Delottinville of Big Pig Co., a seasoned producer whose past collaborations with Rudykoff include Cruise and The Door. Delottinville brings a sharp eye for bold, emotionally resonant storytelling to the project, and has a reputation for championing visionary, independent filmmakers. With a background in both narrative and commercial production, he’s known for balancing creative risk-taking with practical precision – helping elevate HALFWAY HAUNTED from a clever concept to a polished and powerful piece of short-form cinema.
Reuniting Rudykoff with trusted cinematographer Peter Schnobb, the film also features a powerhouse cast: Hannan Younis (What We Do in the Shadows) as Jess, the embattled tenant; Kristian Bruun (Ready or Not) as the deadpan ghost with unfinished business; and Sugar Lyn Beard (The Studio) as the smiling, corporate face of capitalist doom.
Premiering at HollyShorts 2025 – one of the world’s leading showcases for short-form storytelling – HALFWAY HAUNTED is already creating buzz for its bold vision, biting humor, and deeply felt message. Supernatural horror meets social commentary in a film that proves sometimes, the most powerful resistance comes from the other side. This ghost story hits close to home.
