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Horror short film by Kevin Sluder
Based on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart". An overlooked associate struggles to complete a corporate presentation as a horrific secret gnaws at her conscience.
Writer/Director: Kevin Sluder
Producers: Rachel Ferrell, Jose Luis Gonzalez
Executive Producers: Kevin and Jennifer Sluder
Composer: Steve Moore
Cinematographer: Mike Testin
Editor: Matt Mercer
Production Designer: Rachel Ferrell
Cast: Stacy Snyder (Shelby Lattimore), Joanna Sotomura (Clare McKaskill), Matt Mercer (Deano Ross), Blaine Vedros (Brandt Childress), Ron Morehouse (Tripp Flynn), Melody Melendez (Admin)
Poster by: Rachel Ferrell
Constellation Films in association with Sunshine Boy Productions
News
Awards
Nominations
Reviews / Interviews
"Highly Recommend"
"Heartless is a tightly-wound and compact gem, with strong performances, a strong sense of tone and plenty of wonderfully bloody gore effects.” -- Michael Klug, Horror Freak News, Feb 2, 2018
“… an intelligently-executed, visually stunning piece of horror…”
“(Heartless) would most certainly be applauded by Poe himself and fans of intelligent horror as a whole.” – Wess Haubrich, The 405, Mar 17, 2018
"...a clever way to bring Poe’s Gothic horror into the 21st century."
"Gone is the shadowy stalking of Edgar Allen Poe’ s original story, replaced instead by fluorescent office lights which capture the crimes so much more vividly." - Erin Grant, Fear Forever June 23, 2018
[Heartless] "...captures the spirit of the original Poe tale."
"The cinematography is exceptional, as are the makeup and the effects. Snyder’s Shelby character displays the lovable vulnerability of a Goldie Hawn or a Drew Barrymore but is wholly capable of going Kathy Bates or Christian Bale on your ass if you press the wrong button. Snyder’s portrayal along with the expert camera work, effects, and edits make Heartless fun to watch." -- Isaac Thorne, The Horrorcist Aug 12, 2018
"… one of the best short horror films we have seen.”
“Heartless is...one of the best short horror films we have seen. It breaks through the barriers of what is possible to accomplish in a short film, and really goes the extra mile to set an example of a film that filmmakers should all strive to make.” -- Midnight Horror Show, Feb 10, 2018
"It’s a clever, modern-day adaptation of a classic story with a strong female lead and a punk rock attitude.
"“Heartless” as a whole is tight, coherent, and of solid production quality that is both socially relevant and aesthetically pleasing. And really, really fun." - Remy Cashman, HorrorBuzz.com, May 17, 2018
""Heartless" is an entertaining descent into madness."
"Hats off to Snyder, who deserves five out of five bloody, beating hearts for her ferocious performance as the deranged Shelby." "Heartless is a near heart attack of intensity that will have you hearing the beat of your own heart pounding in your ears." "Russell FX provides plenty of effective, gory FX that'll make you cringe with delight." "As a short-film, Heartless is an entertaining, gory sprint through the mind of a madwoman that will have you laughing and screaming from beginning to end." -- Matt Konopka, Killer Horror Critic from Outer Space Aug 6, 2018
"… a gruesome good time.”
“… great independent filmmaking, with just the right amount of blood, gore, and body parts to please its viewers.” “...“This original adaptation...will entertain any fans of the genre who enjoy some good (and gory) twists and turns.” -- Abigail Braman, Nightmarish Conjurings, Feb 8, 2018
"... a giddily gruesome updating of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
On Heartless: "Sluder has crafted this Poe retelling with grisly set pieces, wicked attack sequences, and some darkly comic moments. Though the basis for Heartless is a well-known story, this version of it feels fresh and holds plenty of unpredictable jolts" - Joseph Perry, Ghasthly Grinning, May 7, 2018
"[Heartless] is a solid debut from Sluder, who has managed to deliver a brutal and thrilling horror/dark-comedy..." 5 stars
"Shelby gives Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman a run for his money when she snaps, and it makes for bloody magnificent viewing." "Snyder absolutely nails her performance as she completely owns the screen and I found myself unable to take my eyes off her..." "I really couldn’t write this review and not praise Josh and Sierra Russell for their incredible blood and gore effects. Their work on this short is easily better than some feature-length films I’ve seen and it really elevates this short to a whole other level." "The whole thing is incredibly well executed, from the makeup to the editing, and Sulder’s superb writing and direction." "I would happily sit and watch a feature-length film exploring the days leading up to this presentation and Shelby’s brewing outburst." Tom Sheffield, Jumpcut Online, Aug 4, 2018
“… this retelling of Poe’s Tell Tale Heart left me thirsty for more.”
“…the kind of spectacle we all find appealing after a long day at the office or slaughterhouse.” "Director Kevin Sluder sure knows how to shoot a good bloodletting. Lots of screaming, gouging and slashing...” -- Paul Parcellin, Film Threat, Apr 28, 2018
On Heartless: "From start to finish this film is brutal, bloody and an absolute blast." 9/10
"...this film is filled with blood-drenched gore, a bit of perfectly timed humor and full on bat s*** crazy." -- Andrew Hass, Superficial Gallery. June 8, 2018
On Heartless: "...this short will grab you and not let go." 5 stars
"Starring the unfathomably good Stacy Snyder" "The tension is there in aplomb, the horror drips from it, and there's even some lighter, more humorous nods. The supporting cast is fabulous (although Snyder steals every scene). We can't wait to see more from the team - Sunshine Boy Productions." -- Mark Taylor, Dead Celluloid UK Aug 13, 2018
Geek to Geek by Alyssa White: I'm joined by Kevin and Jennifer Sluder, founders of Sunshine Boy Productions! Their company has produced fantastic short films such as Feeding Time, Play Violet for Me, Heartless (Kevin's directorial debut), and Mainline. Check out their short films! Follow them!
Jennifer and Kevin Sluder are a husband and wife filmmaking team who founded Sunshine Boy Productions in 2015. Their projects include Play Violet for Me, with producer/director Matt Mercer, Feeding Time (horror) directed/written by Matt Mercer, Mainline (sci-fi/thriller) directed/written by Eric Kleifield, Kevin stepped behind the camera for his directorial debut, the horror short, Heartless, which will be hitting the festival circuit early 2018.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD CINEFEST Red Carpet with Heartless Writer/Director: Kevin Sluder, Star: Stacy Snyder, and EP: Jen Sluder on filmmaking and women in film https://www.nohocinefest.com/ OLIVE THE WOMEN WOMEN by Martini Shot Productions is a show that recognizes women in the film industry with a goal to help young women working to succeed.
Production Stills
Film Festivals
Behind the Scenes
Set Photography by Rachel Collins, Bryan Ricke, Jessica Hernandez
