Abortion bans and regulations are on the rise. And (I don’t want to be political here, but with this short I unfortunately may have to) an unfortunate side effect of that is how women may have to go to dangerous lengths to get their pregnancy terminated.
This is the theme that runs through “Mosquito Lady,” by Kristine Gerolaga. It is now streaming on Alter’s YouTube channel, and you can also watch it at the end of this article. It might inspire you to get your own script ready for the next Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition.
The Plot
Gemma is a Filipina-American teenager who is hiding her unplanned pregnancy from her parents. She wants to get an abortion, but the law in her state requires parental notification for abortion.
Desperate, she goes to her reclusive neighbor, who her parents warn her is a manananggal, or a creature who targets pregnant women to suck the fetus out of their body. She comes to ask for her service, but to do so would mean risking her life.
Hanna Lorica and Maria Lingbanan as Gemma and the Mosquito Lady in “The Mosquito Lady”
Desperation
This short opens on a real world horror: teen pregnancy. What’s more, she’s in a pious family, where the parents can be seen condemning the teen for simply touching herself. The parents faces aren’t even shown until the end, probably to symbolize how little they can relate to their daughter. The short is also rooted heavily in political awareness, focusing around abortion regulations and the extremes that women may be forced to go to get around them.
But message aside, it is a creepy short. The Mosquito Lady herself is a disturbing villain, with her look, mannerisms, and what she does to Gemma and all of her her victims. The fact that she seems to have little control over her more violent urges makes it even more disturbing, while also making her a little sympathetic.
The scene in her house is tense and creepy. It’s helped by some good acting from Hanna Lorica and Maria Lingbanan as Gemma and the Mosquito Lady respectively. It effectively leaves the audience scared of what the Mosquito Lady is capable of, and nervous of whether she will go too far.
What Makes It Killer?
“Mosquito Lady” is a creepy, socially conscious thriller, that uses a terrifying creature from folklore to make a very topical statement. It satisfies people looking for some good scares, as well as those looking for deeper meaning in their horror.
Watch it below.
Connect with the Filmmakers:
