Many people want to start a family. And some are willing to do anything to make that dream a reality.
In this post, we will be talking about the horror short, “We Wanted Children,” by Tim O’Connor. 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 a script ready for the next Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition.
The Plot
Ginny has just found out that she is unable to have kids. This has put a strain on her marriage to her husband, Mason, which only gets worse when he starts acting unusual. And then, one night, she finally discovers the disturbing reason for his bizarre behavior.
An Alternative to Adoption
“We Wanted Children” tells a story of what people are willing to do to make their dream lives a reality. Mason wants to surprise his wife with the kids they dreamed of, and does it through mysterious supernatural means. It is unclear what he has done, or if this will have any repercussions. But he did it for her.
Fitting for this theme, this was posted onto Alter’s YouTube page on Mother’s Day, and the video title describes it as a “Mother’s Day Special.”
But the tale is still told from Ginny’s point of view, and she still doesn’t know what is going on with her husband. All she and the audience knows for sure is that weird things are happening with him, and it’s unsettling. Though the audience might guess that it’s related to Ginny’s inability to have children, due to the title and the attention this aspect gets at the beginning, it is still unnerving not knowing exactly what he is trying to do.
This is helped by the acting. The couple is played by Monique Vukovic and David Sitler, who bring their A-game to these performances. The more emotional scenes are just as much of a high point as the mystery or the ultimate reveal. Throughout the movie there is a feeling of tension between these two, that feels appropriate and realistic for a collapsing marriage.
And the final reveal is disturbing in execution with its usage of red lighting and tense atmosphere, but it is also a little heartwarming. It feels like a horror scene, but it is really a happy ending for this couple who finally get the child they wanted.
In Conclusion
“We Wanted Children” is a interesting, well-acted horror short about starting a family. Even if it is through… unconventional means.
Watch it below.
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