Why the Don’t Peek short film will make you rethink your late night gaming

The short film Don’t Peek and it is a perfect example of how a simple concept can be absolutely terrifying. Made by a tiny crew during the quarantine lockdown, it taps into that feeling of being isolated at home with nothing but your gadgets for company. It clearly struck a chord with people because Timur Bekmambetov, the producer behind Unfriended and Searching, has already picked it up to be turned into a full-length feature film.

The story follows a young woman playing Animal Crossing late at night in her bedroom. Things start to get weird when she realizes that the actions she takes in the game are actually happening in her room. It starts out as a fun discovery as she turns her real-world lights on and off through the Nintendo Switch. But the mood shifts instantly when a strange, pixelated character appears in the game and starts trying to make its way into her actual reality.

Julian Terry managed to create an incredible amount of tension with almost no budget and just a handful of lights. It is a brilliant use of a recognizable game to create something that feels grounded and relatable. We have all spent late nights staring at a screen in a dark room, and this film makes you never want to do that again.

If you are a fan of tech-based horror or just want a quick scare that will make you look twice at your own gaming console, you should watch it right here on Buried Films now. It is amazing to see what a creative team can do with just a good idea and a lot of atmosphere.

Just remember to keep an eye on your screen while you play. You never know what might be looking back at you.