Weathering – Netflix Review

WEATHERING on Netflix is a new short film that could easily be described as horror. In more ways than just the genre, I’m afraid. It’s a quick watch with a runtime of just 20 minutes. And also one that is both scary and important. Read our Weathering review here!

WEATHERING is a new Netflix short film and I hope it’s just the first of many. Despite short films being an important category at award shows, it can be difficult to find a place to watch them.

While this short film definitely does work with symbolism, it’s also damn scary. It belongs in the horror genre, even if it’s labeled “just” as a thriller on IMDb. As of writing this review anyway. With a total runtime of just 20 minutes, it’s a quick watch that you’ll want to make time for.

Continue reading our Weathering short film review below. Find the short on Netflix from April 14, 2023.

A different kind of horror

The story in Weathering is about a woman who loses her baby during labor. In fact, she nearly dies herself as well. Unfortunately, it feels like it could have been avoided. While in labor, she keeps saying that something feels wrong, but the doctor refuses to listen.

This is the part of the story that feels like a very real horror story. In fact, I’m absolutely certain that this was inspired by real events.

And I recognize that not everything can be avoided, but feeling like nobody hears you when something then goes terribly wrong is an added trauma. This is the trauma we see play out in a very physical way following the woman returning to life after losing her baby daughter in labor.

Alexis Louder is mesmerizing

The star of Weathering is Alexis Louder (Violent Night) and she is mesmerizing.

You really feel for her and the terrible horror of her situation. Also, you root for her as she tries to pick herself up and continue with life again. Alexis Louder doesn’t have many lines in this movie, but she doesn’t need them either. You can feel pain, anger, and strength from looking at her.

Also, you’ll see the always amazing Alfre Woodard as her mom, who both worries about her daughter and has a few words of advice. Whether her daughter wants to hear them or not. Finally, there’s Jermaine Fowler (The Blackening) in another small key role that I won’t reveal anything about here. You’ll see for yourself!

More short films on Netflix, please!

As mentioned earlier, I really hope this is just the beginning of Netflix adding many more short films to the platform.

I mean, whenever you look at the new hot directors, they’ve usually made several short films. If you’re lucky, you can find them on YouTube, but often they just screen at film festivals and maybe you find them uploaded on Vimeo or a website.

Maybe now the filmmakers can actually make money by selling them to Netflix. I certainly hope so, anyway. Bitesize storytelling is perfect for a streaming service like Netflix. And various anthologies (from horror to sci-fi and folklore hybrids) have long been a Netflix staple.

Watch the Weathering short film on Netflix now!

The writer and director of this new Netflix short film is Megalyn Echikunwoke. This is her debut as a writer and director, but her name might still be familiar. She’s been acting in movies and TV series since 1998 and has 60 acting credits to her name.

You’ll probably recognize the face of Megalyn Echikunwoke from various projects. From Emily the Criminal (2022) to Into the Dark, CSI: Miami, or maybe the Witchcraft Motion Picture Company Presents Horror Anthology: Volume 1. the

However, I believe we should get used to also seeing her name listed as a writer and director. If this short film is any indication of what’s to come, I’m ready for more. Much more!

Weathering is on Netflix from April 14, 2023.

Details

Director: Megalyn Echikunwoke
Writer: Megalyn Echikunwoke
Cast: Alexis Louder, Jermaine Fowler, James Tupper, Alfre Woodard, Behzad Dabu, Lorna Pitts