Midlands Review of The Front Door
July 14, 2021
The Front Door
Directed by Andrew Rutter
2021
An award-winning comedy horror short has finally been released online from Midlands director Andrew Rutter.
The Front Door won a gong for Chris Butler in the Best Actor in a Leading Role category at our very own Midlands Movies Awards and now the film, and his performance, can be enjoyed by the public in this new release.
The short begins with a couple in bed attempting to drift off to sleep but, as these things often go, are kept up by worrying thoughts as the woman asks her partner if he’s “locked the front door?”
He reluctantly wanders down to check but finds it still open. Yet when he turns around, he's taken aback and discovers a full demonic cult (!) that have set up in his living room.
Encouraging him to go back to bed as they “won’t be a minute”, the scene consists of a half-naked man being sacrificed on a table, three hooded individuals and their bearded leader (Chris Butler as Jacob) who is dressed in a blood-red robe.
The short uses great dialogue to take the sting out of its horror influences (“we’ll be twenty minutes, tops” and “we’re very community spirited” explains the cult leader) and its strange feeling of domestic doom comes across well.
Excellent use of make-up and costume create an ominously dark theme but the film continues to be lightened with well-placed jokes which flow quickly in its short 6-minutes.
And with a previously unseen goat-masked ghoul stealing the home-owners lunch from the fridge, the story continues with its out-of-the-ordinary vibe as we are reminded of the wife who still sleeps upstairs unaware
The Front Door is a quality short film, with its comedic asides contrasting nicely alongside pagan imagery. The short also has superb technical elements throughout especially in lighting, wardrobe and a suitably mundane and homely location.
And with the surprising and disturbing final conclusion it delivers, the film is a darkly delightful success as it blends scares and suburbia in one highly entertaining package.
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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