Looking for something to gross you out and make you laugh, horror fans? We’ve got just thing for you! Today Gunpowder & Sky’s horror brand ALTER is exclusively debuting the comedic short horror film, The Cost of Living, which hit the film fest circuit in 2018 & 2019. The film stars Lorna Nickson Brown (AfterDeath, Beautiful Relics), Jonathan Coote (The Audience, The 12) and Liam Harkins. Ask yourself one, simple, but intense question: how far would you go to pay your rent?
What is the true Cost of Living?
The Cost of Living asks you one simple thing: how far would you go to pay rent? The story revolves around a couple in their apartment trying to dodge the landlord demanding payment for rent. The film does a very good job to portray the landlord as a very creepy man who would not take no for an answer. It does so in a very artistic way with an intense focus on the man’s face. The brilliant cinematography makes us extraordinarily uncomfortable and prepares us for him to do his worst.
Once the woman leaves her husband in the apartment, however, we are faced with an unprecedented turn of events. The short keeps you at the edge of your seat while the woman walks out and the landlord moves in. The husband is shown uneasy and there seems to be something bothering him. Finally, the film uses fast cuts to show us the movements of each character. The woman as she walks off. The old landlord creeping into their apartment…. Finally, we learn what what they really do to pay their rent in the film’s climax… which we on’t spoil.
So… what would you do?
The Cost of Living: Cast and crew
| Director | Tom Nicoll |
| Producer | Zach Newby, Tom Nicoll |
| Director of Photography | Ben Westaway |
| Writers | Zach Newby, Tom Nicoll |
| Sound | Barni Sparkes |
| Production Design | Alice Cousins |
Festival Run
FrightFest 2018
Monster Fest 2018
London Short Film Festival 2019
Glasgow Short Film Festival 2019
Final thoughts
Very entertaining short! It does an amazing job to keep you both crept out and wanting more. The performances are superb as most of the best acting is done with their facial expressions rather than dialogue. The editing is great as they give you a taste of what is to come with fast cuts. The creepy score only enhances the experience. If you have an opportunity, be sure to check out The Cost of Living!
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