Shortcut (2020)

Shortcut is the kind of lean, scrappy creature feature that remembers horror can be fun as well as frightening: a single bad detour turns an ordinary school trip into a tight, claustrophobic survival ride where the safest place might also be the trap. Director Alessio Liguori keeps the pace brisk and the mood pleasantly pulpy, balancing jolts and suspense with a streak of teen camaraderie that gives the danger a human pulse instead of just noise and shadows. The young cast sells the escalating nerves and bickering-into-bonding dynamic, so you’re not just waiting for the next scare—you’re invested in how they’ll hold it together. If you want a big-budget monster spectacle, this isn’t that, but if you’re in the mood for a quick, moody, surprisingly charming horror-adventure with a light touch, it’s an easy ride to say yes to.

Shortcut is clearly aiming for a tense, teen-friendly creature feature where a simple detour turns into a claustrophobic survival test and a lesson in teamwork. The problem is it often feels like a first draft on screen: the dialogue is awkward, the characters are thinly sketched, and the logic bends so often that the “trapped on a bus” premise stops feeling gripping and starts feeling convenient. The monster and scares also look and play cheaper than the setup promises, which makes it hard to stay invested if you came for genuine horror. If you’re in the mood for a lightweight, youthful adventure with a few suspense beats and don’t mind rough edges, you might tolerate it; if you want smart writing, strong acting, or real chills, this is probably not your shortcut.