The Nevada Sagebrush

A ghostly pale creature with sharp fangs lies in bed engulfed in darkness. A terrified-looking blonde woman shakily reaches around the creature’s shoulder to lift the blanket.

You may have seen this image floating around the Internet for a while, but you probably do not know that it comes from a short horror film called “Bedfellows” directed by Drew Daywalt. The film is less than three minutes long and is published on YouTube under the name “Fewdio Horror.”

Fewdio is composed of a group of horror fanatics and filmmakers who have made appearances at ComicCon and sold DVDs of their terrifying films for a few years. Fewdio’s slogan is “We create nightmares” — and they are definitely right about that.

None of Fewdio’s horror shorts are longer than 12 minutes — the longest, “The Tale of Haunted Mike,” tells the complete story of Haunted Mike, an eBay tycoon who buys antiques, makes up a creepy backstory and resells them online for big money. The short film clocks in at just more than 11 and a half minutes, but is just as chilling as some of the best full-length horror movies that have been released in recent years.

Fewdio demonstrates great knowledge of the horror genre with intelligent tributes to classic horror authors. “Smoke (A Tribute to Edgar Allan Poe)” is a modern-day update of “The Tell-Tale Heart,” in which a man’s own crime haunts him so mercilessly that it drives him insane. “Conviction (A Tribute to H.P. Lovecraft)” presents a compelling psychological discussion about the idea of repenting on your deathbed.

With minimal special effects, gore and dialogue, Fewdio manages to successfully produce some truly terrifying pieces. Some of the scariest are “Baby Sounds” and “Five Minutes Earlier,” both of which employ creative techniques that are sure to succeed in having even the truest of horror fans hiding behind their hands and jumping at the slightest sounds.

One of the greatest strengths for Fewdio’s films are the superb twist endings. “Anniversary,” a six-minute short film featuring very little dialogue, is beautifully shot and comes to an amusing and unexpected close. “The Collector” and “The Laundromat” both have thought-provoking endings that allude to political messages. “Dinner Date,” while based on the true story of an Internet dating meet-up turned horror movie fodder, is constructed in such a compelling and unique manner that it still manages to surprise those familiar with the original story.

Casey O’Lear can be reached at colear@nevadasagebrush.com.

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