When You Stare Into the Void: A Look at the “Portrait of God” short horror film

I came across this psychological horror short called Portrait of God awhile back, and it was one of the most atmospheric and unsettling things I had seen in a long time. There’s a ton of buzz around the film, with Sam Raimi and Jordan Peele’s production companies optioning it recently. And there’s a good reason for that.

It starts out simple enough, with a narrator presenting a photograph of a painting that appears to be nothing but a solid black canvas, but is super effective at getting under your skin.

The story is built around the idea that while most viewers see a void, others see a specific figure in the darkness. What makes it so creepy is that everyone who sees the image describes the exact same thing. They talk about a very thin thing with a wide grin and eyes that seem to glow with a strange light. It really taps into that primal fear of what might be hiding just out of sight.

Dylan Clark did an amazing job of blurring the line between a religious epiphany and a nightmare. It forces you to think about why certain people are chosen to see this entity while everyone else is left staring at nothing. It is a brilliant example of how indie horror can be incredibly effective with just a strong concept and great atmosphere.

If you’re looking for new creepy short film to watch late at night this one should be at the top of your list. It’s only a few minutes long but it manages to build more tension than most full length movies. You can watch it right here on Buried Films now to test your own eyes.

Do you see the figure in the painting or is it just a black screen to you? Either way it is a must watch for any horror fan.