O Negative (2015 film)
| O Negative | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Steven McCarthy |
| Written by | Steven McCarthy Alyx Melone |
| Produced by | Steven McCarthy Tony Elliott Sarah Lazarovic Jessy Camilleri |
| Starring | Steven McCarthy Alyx Melone |
| Cinematography | Cabot McNenly |
| Edited by | Stéphane Lafleur |
| Music by | Gordon Hyland Sam McLellan |
Production company | Candles Are For Burning |
| Distributed by | Meridian Releasing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 15 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
O Negative is a 2015 Canadian short horror film directed by Steven McCarthy.[1] It stars McCarthy and Alyx Melone, who also co-wrote the script with McCarthy. The film centres on a man driving through the night, seeking shelter and sustenance for his girlfriend, who is revealed to be a vampire dependent on human blood.[2]
Plot
[edit]A man (McCarthy) drives late at night with his girlfriend (Melone) asleep in the passenger seat. She appears pale and unwell. They search for a place to stay, eventually finding a remote motel. Once inside, the man's desperation becomes clear as he tries to care for the woman, whose illness is revealed to be a deep craving for human blood, identifying her as a vampire. The narrative explores the dynamic of their relationship under the strain of her addiction-like need.
Cast
[edit]- Steven McCarthy as The Man
- Alyx Melone as The Woman
Themes
[edit]Critics noted the film uses the vampire trope as a potential metaphor for addiction, codependency, and the extreme lengths one might go to for love within a relationship burdened by a destructive force.[1][2]
Production
[edit]The film was produced by McCarthy alongside Tony Elliott, Sarah Lazarovic, and Jessy Camilleri under the banner Candles Are For Burning.[3] Stéphane Lafleur, known primarily as a director, served as the film's editor.[1] Cabot McNenly was the cinematographer.[1]
Release and reception
[edit]O Negative premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2015.[4] It received positive attention for its atmospheric visuals, minimalist storytelling, and the performances of McCarthy and Melone.[1][2]
In December 2015, the film was named to TIFF's annual year-end Canada's Top Ten list for short films.[5] The film was later featured online by Short of the Week in October 2016.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Rob Munday, "O Negative". Short of the Week, October 31, 2016.
- ^ a b c Phillips, Patrick (October 9, 2017). "Shocktober Short Film Of The Week: 'O Negative'". Cut Print Film.
- ^ "O Negative". Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "O Negative at TIFF 2015". TIFF Digital Archive. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ Bruce Kirkland, "TIFF announces its top 10 films of 2015". Toronto Sun, December 8, 2015.
External links
[edit]- O Negative at IMDb
- O Negative at Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre
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