“Shook” is a 2024 dark comedy short film written and directed by Valentina von Klencke. It takes place in the Californian desert after a devastating earthquake strands a vacationing family on an idyllic weekend getaway from the outside world. The film follows their survival while supplies diminish rapidly after the disaster.
The film opens by establishing a collapsed highway as it carves through the inhospitable desert landscape, highlighting the magnitude of damage caused by the earthquake. We cut to a woman (played by Cheryl Canty) staring blankly out of a window while vaping in a seemingly profound moment of thought. In the background, we hear a female voice call out for the need for air conditioning, establishing the fact there is no electricity; as she vapes, she takes too deep an inhale, causing her to start coughing violently; she reaches over to run the kitchen faucet, which doesn’t turn on establishing that there is no running water to the property.
We cut to a different room, where we are introduced to the daughter, Allie (played by Phoebe Grant). She hears the coughing and reaches across the bed to grab her own vape. In desperation, the Mom grabs a vase of flowers from the countertop and drinks the water, causing her to immediately spit it out. Around the room, we see empty bottles of drinking water.
We observe as the occupants try to keep themselves occupied while isolated. Allie does some inner thigh exercises while the Mom works on a puzzle. We are introduced to a whimpering dog (Foxy), all signifying boredom and despair.
Allie then opens the door to a closed bedroom, where we are introduced to Sean (played by Ben Irving) amid meditation. Allie asks for Xanex, and Sean responds with some of his own spiritual advice that prompts an irritated retreat from Allie.
As Allie keeps to herself in the room, her Mom bursts in asking if Allie has finished the last bottle of water, Allie having thought there was an extra case in the garage. Realization sets in that now they have run out of drinking water. Outside, we see a devastatingly large earthquake scar in the earth that cuts straight through a road, presumably significantly further alienation from civilization, before we cut back to an emotionally charged house that suddenly discovers that Foxy, the family dog, has died. This scene quickly turns as the mother proclaims she is not feeling well. Allie panics as they question how to reduce their mother’s fever. We presume the worst as we cut to a dead spider in the vase with the flowers. Allie and Sean then consume ketchup, seemingly anything with moisture in it, as it is decided that they must leave the house to get help in the nearest town some 50 miles away.
We then cut to twilight as the pair armed with headlamps traverse the rough terrain. As night falls, Allie and Sean become separated, and Allie discovers a lifeless female body; she then goes through her handbag and discovers a dead cell phone, some money, and a vaporizer, which she begins inhaling. The film ends with distant cries of “Allie” from Sean.
“Shook” is a compelling short that explores isolation, human survival, and how we handle despair amongst a natural disaster. It has an ambiguous ending, but we are left with the notion that Allie has accepted whatever fate awaits.
The Other Cinema 