Frank Palangi’s Room Number 4, written by Christopher Pelton and inspired by the short story collection Toe In The Water, is a suspenseful and psychologically driven short horror that makes its mark in a compact runtime. The film explores the intersection of fear, guilt, and the supernatural, centering on the tension behind a single mysterious door. Palangi and Pelton craft a story that lingers, tapping into the unsettling idea that our past actions can follow us in unexpected—and haunting—ways.
Erica James delivers a strong performance as Shawna, capturing the character’s fear and inner turmoil convincingly. Kat Mackenzie and Frank Palangi himself add layers to the story, while the supporting cast—Lana De Fear, Conor Walsh, Joy Lee, Anne Ostrander, and Michelle Greendyk—provide solid, if brief, contributions that help build the world of the film.
The film’s music and sound design aim to heighten tension, though at times the effects feel slightly overdone, which can be a little distracting from the story. Additionally, some plot points may leave viewers puzzled, particularly the sequence involving debt, murder, and guilt, as well as certain character motivations like Wendy’s strange behavior. While this ambiguity can add a sense of mystery, it might benefit from slight clarification in future edits or the anthology feature to come.
Overall, Room Number 4 is an intriguing and atmospheric short horror that successfully combines psychological tension with supernatural elements. It’s a promising introduction to the upcoming feature-length anthology, offering chilling moments and strong performances that suggest even more gripping stories to come.
Jessie Hobson