In “Uno Out”, a Horror/Comedy, April, the birthday girl, invites her friends to play Uno, but the evening takes a turn when the first winner dies.
This all-black cast finds themselves in an Uno game where winners, deserters, and cheaters die suddenly. The gruesome deaths inform the horror element while the blasé reactions to the deaths inform the comedy element of this short film. One character’s last words are: “You raggedy b*tch!” as she coughs up her own blood. Adding to the comedy element, each death is met with a shrug and someone long-sufferingly carrying their body out of the shot. With this tone set, these fair-weather friends are forced to continue playing until the last man stands.
As far as camera-angles, dialogue, and acting go, this short films does well. The camera shots make the viewer feel like they're also at this death-party waiting to see who dies next. There are no boring moments with the funny arguments the characters get into and their dramatic deaths. I particularly admired the way the creators juxtapose between the main character and all of her guests. From the very beginning, the costume design reflects the distance among these characters. April wears overalls while the other characters are more dressed for a night-out with their leather and dresses. It's a subtle detail, but it reflects her relationship with everyone else.
Ultimately, I recommend this short film because the amusing dialogue and the sudden twist at the end are entertaining and easy to follow. If you enjoy stories about much-needed revenge, you’ll appreciate Uno Out.
Credits
Written by: Gozie Ndolo
Directed by: Brandon Lee W.
Starring: Latasia Williams (April), Brandon Lee W., Jessie Reeder, Me'Rhanda Jacobs, Vaughn Walker, Janika La'Shae, Erika S. Davis
Here's the link on Xerb.tv: https://xerb.tv/channel/horrorjunkie/video/11865
Image source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14432416/mediaviewer/rm4002398721/
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