"Stay Inside, Michael"
review by Diablo Joe



SHORT FILM REVIEW “Stay inside, Michael” by Jeremy Arruda

The latest short from filmmaker Jeremy Arruda is a timely piece for these pandemically-cloistered times. Seemingly trapped in his home by fears of what the outside potentially brings, Michael faces both a combination of agoraphobia and the taunts of the mysteriously ominous Walter (whose identity adds an unsettling edge to his presence).

Arruda stalwart Justin Thibault is excellent as the troubled, conflicted Michel. His performance, like much of the film itself, is quiet and measured. As the voice of Walter, Kris Salvi is both cruel and mocking in his subtle torture of the fragile Michael.

“Stay inside, Michael” would work in any era. Much of its fundamental tone and core theme are almost archetypal. But in this day and age, the fear of what dangers the outside world can bring, coupled with one all-too contemporary horror, gives it extra weight and effectiveness.

This devil of a reviewer gives “Stay inside, Michael” 4 out of 5 imps