Horror Short Review: Sundowning (2026)

Written and directed by Aimie Willemse, and commissioned by Take Three / Screen Scotland, Sundowning is a horror short with sobering realism. It is an outstanding showcase of creativity that will stay with you long afterwards.

Claire (Bettie Pirie), a nine-year-old girl, is not happy about having to stay the night with her elderly grandmother, Morag (Maria MacDonell). Immediately it’s clear that the two haven’t had much of a relationship and Claire is frightened of her grandmother. Alas, her mother (Sarah McCardie) must work so Claire must stay with Morag.

As night falls, we begin to see why Claire didn’t want to stay as Morag’s behaviour becomes erratic, unstable, and dangerous. She is changing and through Claire’s perception, this change is monstrous.

Sundowning is as horrifying as it is heart-breaking. A story about dementia and how a child might interpret it. The disease strips people of their humanity and writer/director Aimie Willemse captures the fear, confusion, and sadness of this perfectly. Warping it for our eyes and ears, making it a horror-laden visual and sonic experience that stays brilliantly grounded in reality, especially if you have experienced the horrible realities of dementia too.

Sundowning has its London premiere at Fright Fest this year, and I can see why. Impressively shot, expertly directed, and featuring a staggeringly good cast, if you have the opportunity to see it, you make sure you do.