User Reviews

A visually feast of blood and suspense. Poe's story is a favourite of mine and this version is an up-to-date, well-paced, shot and thought through. Professionally delivered it is a joy to watch from start to finish.

What always intrigued me about this story is the prison that we the observer cocoon ourselves within, while guided through a maze of deceit. This film masterfully crafts its madness, and leaves us where it found us, beneath the narrators feet.

If you are into phycological thrillers and horror movies, there is good reason for you to like this film. The Narrator takes you on a ride as you witness him develop mental insecurity, distress, and psychosis. As you watch, you'll realize that what the narrator is seeing might not actually be reality. By the end you are wondering what was real, and what was just dreamed up in his head.

It adds a little jump scares, with some gore to plenty of genuine storytelling, a lot of horror films have struggled with combining them all, either falling short on the story or being afraid to use gore, Lindquist has found a great ratio to fit them all together in a way that capitalises on the different elements and doesn't let any of them disappear into the background.

I was blown away by how good this is. I've always been a fan of Edgar Allen Poe's literary works, so I was going in with some expectation of what I was about to watch. Little did I know my expectations would not only be met, but exceeded!

I encourage everybody to go see this movie! The score is fantastic and the acting from Sonny Grimsley is much better than I expected! Seriously, go see this film!

I was offered the chance to check out this classic re-telling of Poe's The Tell Tale Heart. What I didn't expect was the vivid use of colors, the intense unique camera angles, and the gore. All of it added up to make this one of, if not the best version of Tell Tale Heart I've seen transfered to film. Major kudos to all involved.

A life-long fan of this particular short story, I followed this film as it took the festival circuit by storm. I waited to watch with great anticipation. I am very pleased to say that the build up was justified! This film is a must see for fans of Poe, horror, creative cinematography, artistry and talent.

3.4 out of 5 stars (slightly above average) Thank you to Bassmit Pros Films for reaching out to me for this review. The Tell-Tale Heart is one of Edgar Allen Poe's most revered stories. It's a thoroughly unnerving tale that grabs the reader from the outset and doesn't let go until its chilling finale. As a fan of both that story and Poe's writing overall, I'm happy to report that this short film adaptation maintains the feel of his work while adding some modern flair. The story follows a mysterious Narrator (Sonny Grimsley) being questioned by two police officers (Mikah Olsen and Teren Turner) in connection with a local disappearance. The more the man tells, the more unhinged he becomes, only increasing the cops' suspicions The Tell-Tale Heart is an unnerving experience. Grimsley exudes creepiness from the first frame, delivering his dialogue (Much of which is in voiceover) with soft yet malicious energy and an evil smile across his face. The omnipresent score, gothic atmosphere, and beautifully gory practical effects ensure most of the scares hit bullseye, though some may be tested by the jump scares that can be seen coming from space. I also applaud the filmmakers for using their low budget well and making a slick, professional-looking final product that should earn some attention. The flaws of The Tell-Tale Heart are minimal, but worth mentioning. Those unfamiliar with the story may be confused on first viewing due to its flashback structure, and a character remarks how a bedroom is pitch black despite light coming in from the outside. Those flaws aside, The Tell-Tale Heart is a creepy, loving adaptation of its source material that should satisfy current Poe fans and possibly create some new ones. See The Tell-Tale Heart. Would likely be rated R for Graphic Images

"A well crafted short film that brings Edgar Allan Poe into the 21st century. Using the prose Poe wrote with into a police procedural is genius. Cinematography is beautiful even when in a single room. The practical effects are spot on. An all-round insanely well crafted film. Could be inserted into a season of Tales From The Crypt or Masters of Horror with no trouble at all. Definitely a must watch for Poe fans."

@mylittlesliceofhellofficial.

Beautifully visual take on Poe's classic story. Great cinematography and use of color. Well worth a look.

Watching TTTH you just feel that it's been crafted with a lot of love for the author's work. I was blown away to find out that it's the director's debut. McClain Lindquist is one to look out for.

"Tell Tale Heart" is a delightfully sinister short film, the perfect balance of whimsy and terror. Sonny Grimsley plays the narrator to perfection, and it's a delight to watch him descend into paranoia and madness. Everything from the music to the cinematography perfectly compliments the story's eerie tone and the narrator's decaying mental state.

When I was introduced to the film's upcoming release through its enigmatic shorts, it raised the bar for what the film was to be. After seeing it for the first time, I was awe struct over the creator's take on the story and ability to keep you guessing what would be next. Falling far outside of normal, I loved the cinematic twists harking back to real horror storytelling - (Not Just Blood & Guts)! The best part is watching, again and again, noticing small subtleties and effects added to trick your eyes and mind. This film should live on in the realm of real horror storytelling. I look forward to what comes next from this crew of talented filmmakers. Cheers until then!!!

Gets a "9" because we have to leave room for what comes next!!!

I love this story so much...... annnnd this is BY FAR the best take on it I've seen! HIGHLY recommend to any horror/Poe fan...... or anyone who appreciates wonderful cinematic experiences!!

The director did an amazing job recreating this timeless poem.

This version of the Tell Tale Heart, with it's flashy camerawork, over-the-top performances, and practical gore effects, I couldn't help but be reminded of Evil Dead 2. This of course is a complement to the short. I also got a comic strip vibe as well with the vibrant colors and storyboard editing. . .perhaps an evil Dick Tracy? Finally, I was also reminded of Baz Luhrmann's Romeo & Juliet , with the obvious modern day setting and old English dialogue. If you were to blend Evil Dead 2, Dick Tracy, and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo & Juliet, you might just find the combination to make The Tell Tale Heart. This of course is a combination I thought I'd never put together, but here we are. I give my stamp of approval and recommendation for audiences to take 20 mins and watch this movie.

Edgar Allen Poe's Tell Tale Heart is a classic masterpiece. What's better than that? Perhaps the equally matched modern-day masterpiece film version of the same story! This film excels in presenting this story how I wish every kid in a middle school English class could have experienced it. The direction of this film is superb and each frame is expertly crafted to strike terror and fascination into the viewer simultaneously. It's so beautiful you want to look, yet so ghastly you want to shut your eyes. Very few movies have frightened me in their hour and a half run time like this movie has in its 20 minutes. It's a film that exemplifies what true horror should be and how you adapt a classic piece! McClain Lindquist is a visionary who knows how to frighten at the same level as those from Tobe Hooper to John Carpenter.

A magnificent horror short, one of the best I have ever seen.

McClain Lindquist and his team show off some true craftsmanship throughout this short film! It is both colorful and macabre. The blood reds of the special effects are accentuated by the neon red lighting of the photography. And despite a longer runtime for a short film, the edit is energetic and holds your attention. If there's anything that must be said, you should go into this film with some knowledge of the story it's adapted from. The pacing and temporal jumping, which highlight the character's slipping grip on reality, will leave you a bit lost if you don't already know the beats of the story. Apologies for the pun.

Could there ever be any true justice in adapting arguably the pinnacle work of one of the most influential writers in human history, on film? In the past 100 years, many attempts have certainly tried. Some better than others. Indeed, capturing the genius of Poe's plot, pacing and virtuoso storytelling, is nothing trivial, nor any small endeavor.

After watching it for the 1st time, I could imagine the viewing of this film to other audience members being just as potent and revelatory today, as it must have been to the readers, discovering this masterpiece of storytelling in 1843. That, in my opinion, was where those other adaptations on celluloid had fallen short...and where this one has captured both the essence and the madness of this story, so brilliantly.

The Tell Tale Heart (2020) is reverential to Edgar Allen Poe while at the same time, tipping its hat to some of my own favorite modern masters of the cinema, such as Stanley Kubrick, Brian DePalma, Sam Raimi, Adrian Lyne, and David Fincher.

This short film excels and revels in its production values. The pacing, like a panic attack of the senses. Starting out innocent (with many clever moments of foreshadowing) then it just builds and builds until it achieves a fever pitch of insanity. It knows all of the skills that can pull in the viewer, captivating their full attention and it uses all of them. A completely immersive score and sound design that grabs you, hard. Clever editing, wardrobe and set decoration that bridge the dimensions of time, location and our perceptions of what is real vs. imagined, so very well. The quality of its special make-up effects are what you would typically find in a production of far greater cost or size, and therefore are another unexpected treat. The cinematography is painterly and inspired, elevating its craft to pure cinematic art.

Lastly, is the performances of its actors, especially that of The Narrator, (played deliciously by Sonny Grimsley). On par with a performance of intensity and nuance that I would have expected out of a young Jack Nicholson, Kevin Spacey or Anthony Hopkins.

Finally, we now have a fantastic interpretation of Poe's masterwork to enjoy, on film! One that truthfully lives up to its source material and in some aspects, elevates it. I say to you, watch this film. Loud. In the dark. And if possible, not alone.

The Tell-Tale Heart is a visually stimulating, bloody and well-paced short that is most certainly worth the watch for fans of Poe and even Argento, with the editing and cinematography being a particular highlight.

Sonny Grimsley gives a fun, impassioned performance and the film never feels like it's wasting any time throughout. The score here is fantastic, perfectly complimenting the delightfully macabre tone of the short.

Overall, this was a very solid directorial debut for Lindquist, and i can't wait to see what follows.

TTTH has all of my favorite things in it (Which also puts my standards for quality very high). This project hit all the notes I would hope with a beautifully brutal visual style and amazing performance from the narrator. Very fun! Looking forward to more!

A brilliant interpretation of the classic Poe story.

Truly the best and most entertaining version I've ever seen.

The Tell Tale Heart is a beautifully crafted take on a classic story. Execution, editing, and score are incredible, making for a short that will leave its audience speechless and will stay with you long afterward. One to watch and rewatch for any horror fan. There is so much heart and charm here, and I can't wait to see what else in in store from McClain Lindquist, a creative and talented director and writer.

This short film is an absolute must watch, after you finish it'll have begging for more. From the opening shot alone it's apparent that everyone who worked on this movie was passionate about the project. It takes one of the most iconic short stories of all time by one of the most beloved dark and morbid writers of all time, and give us a modern retelling of the source material that delivers something new while remaining faithful to Edgar Allen Poe's riveting story. I stand by what I said in my YouTube review, "It's a delicious dive into the human psyche." For every Edgar Allen Poe fan this is a must watch, the director knew the story he wanted to tell and told it with style and professionalism. The award winning acting deserves all the praise it's been receiving, Sonny Grimsley steals the scene whenever he's on screen. He brings one of the greatest performances I saw last year, he's got a promising career ahead of him and the same can be said for the director. Do yourself a favor and give this gritty award winning short film a watch, you'll be thinking about it long after the credits roll.