Horror Short Film "Return to Sender" | ALTER | Starring Allison Tolman | Online Premiere
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- čas přidán 14. 11. 2022
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From producer Jamie Lee Curtis comes a story about a woman involved in a delivery scam that grows increasingly strange.
"Return to Sender" by Russell Goldman
Starring Allison Tolman (Fargo, Why Women Kill)
MovieMaker Magazine profile featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and Russell: www.moviemaker.com/jamie-lee-...
#ALTER #horror #shortfilm
Connect with the Filmmaker:
/ russell_goldman
www.russellgoldman.com/
More About "Return to Sender":
Julia wants to start over. She's out of rehab and in a new home, no longer living with her loving but overbearing sister Tat. So long as she logs into her remote recovery meetings, Julia can design a home and life that is finally her own. Ordering home decor from the e-commerce company Smirk, a corkscrew appears in one of her packages. The sight shakes her, but it’s just a misplaced order. She can toss it away. Over time, more false items get slipped into her deliveries. Julia starts to fixate on them. They trigger insipid memories. Customer service reps can't explain what's happening to her. Her sister proves to her it's just a scam. Yet Julia knows a scam can't be the full answer... and the items she's receiving are growing more dangerous. She starts preparing to defend herself at all costs.
"Return to Sender" Credits:
Written and Directed by: Russell Goldman
Produced by: Jamie Lee Curtis
Produced by: Jake Katofsky
Starring: Allison Tolman, Emma Pasarow
Voices by: Robert Lewis Stephenson, Edward Torres, Henita Telo
Casting by: Jamie Ember
Director of Photography: Matt Kleppner
Production Design: Lisa J. Dooley
Graphic Design: Adi Slepack
Costume Design: Maria Laura Sandoval
Hair & Makeup Design: Emma Croft
Assistant Director: Jessica Dho
Editor: Marco Rosas
Sound Design: Nate Flaks
Re-recording Mixer: Ryan D. Young
Composer: Josh Davidoff
Additional Music: Eric Poretsky
Associate Producer: Eli Sands
Colorist: Jared Pecht
About ALTER:
ALTER is an ever-expanding platform for the most daring storytellers in the world of horror. We are a home, community and launching pad for our filmmakers. Slip into the dark, disturbing corners of cutting-edge horror.
Filmmakers should visit filmfreeway.com/alterdustsubm... to submit your horror shorts. (Only completed horror shorts will be considered. Unsolicited scripts or pitches will be immediately deleted without review.)
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Video Title
/ watchalter - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Hey everyone! My name's Russell, I wrote and directed this little movie about the things we can't explain that end up worming their way into our brains. Allison and the whole production & post teams crushed it! So excited to read all your comments, questions, theories, and delivery scams of your own :)
Love concept, rythm and performance, too! Great ❣️ Hope You 'll share soon other shorts of Yours ✨
This was amazing 🤩
It was very Black Mirror-esque. I have a few theories. Putting all of her information through the phone and Internet ordering items and the AA group. The people on the Zoom knew her face and name and struggles and was using this to make her think she’s crazy. Sending the security cameras to watch and toy with her. Just a theory first time watching.
@@MMAGamblingTips As a ACOA and having sat in similar meetings her introductory participation in the AA meeting came off as too little on details of her personal life. I get the film maker has little time to convey a message and takes shortcuts. So I think your point on the meeting possibly being a scam, I think with the reveal at the end it clearly was, is correct. I also thought to myself, having visited Costa Rica none of the houses I was in had wallpaper like she had-and I get that she was world building her part of the universe.
I enjoyed the creep factor of your words being posted second after mentioning them.
@@bensweiss agree on all this 👍🏼
The nonchalant way customer service said “You’re not” had me crying. It can be that way at times especially if they are having a bad day.
Exactlyyy...
It’s the way they end the conversation abruptly by saying is there anything else I can help you with ? It irritates me to no end
After dealing with rude customers, you’d act the same too.
@@jazmynbrown6820 totally understand I deal with it on a daily basis😂
It was really sinister in context. I definitely approached that line from the other end, though. I was envious that a single "you're not" was enough to end the conversation. I usually just repeat it to people until they decide to walk away from me. P:
Why was Tat banging on the door like that and not announcing herself? Haha
Idk one of the last things I would do is creepily break into my sisters house when she already has been paranoid and worried 💀
Hope this isn't weird but love your makeup!
UPDATE: After reading the comments we've added closed captioning so you can watch the film with subtitles! Thank you everyone for watching and loving our movie: I've SO enjoyed reading everyone's wonderful takes..
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
You had such a good premise but the end was so predictable, I hope you work on this again with a less obvious ending.
KIND!!
Heyvmr Russell!! This flick is gold!! So happy to have enjoyed under the blanketvon a windy, cold night....🌃
Amazing thank you! I have schizophrenia and sometimes I just can’t hear films over the voices 😂 so annoying, the captions are super helpful!
that glass breaking had me jumping a mile into the air. this was not only a fantastic storyline, but i know what it feels like to be paranoid sometimes and i feel like this short film does a brilliant job at capturing that feeling and handing it to the viewers
Ikr I nearly had a heart attack.
SAME lmao I’m in my car enjoying my smoke it’s dead silent and tense af and that shit happens I threw my phone across the car 😂😂😂
Edit: Sober me ….why would I watch this AT night in a CAR while smoking WEED?!??! It was like I was asking for an anxiety attack 🤣🤣🤣
Allison Tolman is incredible, and deserves so much more lead acting work.
She reminds me of Melanie Lynskey
So this feels like a study of paranoia, anxiety, & lonliness/isolation MANY are feeling amplified & expanded by modern day triggers. Has a Twilight Zone/Hitchcock feel- good job 👏🏽 I too think this eas perfect as a short.
Yup. Couldn't agree more! Trauma based conditioning at it's finest, and as a society, we allow and even encourage it.
yup i agree! i totally enjoyed this but felt it on an unnerving level all at the same time!
Totally agree people not affected have a hard time not grasping the severity of it😢
I had time now!
She wasn't paranoid, she was really being stalked. A study? stfu lol
she’s so good i was surprised to see her in a short film but this was awesome she was perfect for this one
So good and so creepy. The moment when she sees the review saying "I feel like someone sees me" was so shocking and disturbing.
Jup like Wtf
my soul left my body on that one
That was so scary!!!!
This could be a feature film. So well produced and the actress was 10/10 👏👏
Disagree. This is why it was so good being a short. if it was a feature film it would have been dragged out. 10/10 yes.
Definitely had high quality of a feature film
@@bsfbestshortfilmsonyoutube like Tom Hanks movie Castaway
One detail that really got to me was the wallpaper that was coming undone at the end. Her sister told her focus on what you can control and the wallpaper was part of Julia’s plan that night as part of what she could control. She just lost control of everything at that point. The isolation was palpable. The zoom gave me vibes of when people were struggling with addiction during the pandemic and support was limited. Great job! My heart broke for her.
That was REALLY GOOD
I love how they left it for interpretation whether it is a metaphor for her slipping from one addiction into another (alcoholism to obsession & hoarding) or something even more sinister going on like she is in a simulation game or something!
why does the concept of realizing everything you experience is just a game scare anyone? That would mean there were no consequences and you have no reason to worry about anything. Also yeah i agree with you on the first part though. Addictions can be scary. I was really wrapped up in the idea that the Brusher would stalk her because she reported the activity and start attacking her home.
@@greatpower6063 that means that nothing you do and have done in your entire life means anything, your feelings and your memories are all fabricated, that doesnt scare u?
@@fourleafclover3745 No if you understand that life isn’t happening to you it’s coming from you. As within so without
Ohh I hadn't thought of the hoarding idea. Interesting!
but you see someone watching her on a laptop in the end
Thank you for bringing awareness to this scam...I researched "brushing" after watching this film, and am grateful to know what this is and why/how this scam is utilized.
I think this is a little more then brushing cause she’s being watched and everything she does and says is being observed.. it’s almost as if who ever is doing it is out to push her over the edge and drive her crazy/ paranoid/ delusional.. in the end they succeed.
this is not an awareness video for brushing 😭😭
@@scoutwithclout8841 Did u bother to read what the director said? No...obviously not...sigh.
What is brushing?
At first I was like I actually wouldn’t mind being brushed. Send me all the free stuff you want and write whatever review idc. But then she got mailed a bulletproof vest and I was like never mind.
I relate so strongly to this character. An adult woman, struggling through recovery alone, with a sister who loves and wants to help living far far away, the sister trying to help remotely, while the addict is grasping at some sense of control by obsessing over other little things, inconsequential little aspects of life become everything, until an unfriendly neighbor or a table that can’t be leveled or the temperature of the apartment consume your life while what’s important falls apart around you…
**hugs** I hope you're okay.
Loved producing this short. Wonderful cast and crew and very proud of how it turned out!
Allison Tolman is such a great actor, would love to see her in more projects
She's in a ton of mainstream stuff. IMDB her. Loved her especially in the first season of Fargo.
@@SalveRegina8 I think I've seen her in *Boo* , also on Alter!
Actress*
@@becky1993x Actor is actually a gender neutral term by every definition. "Actress" just like "waitress" or "stewardess" is acceptable but its just a way of specifying unneccesarily that a woman is doing the job.
@@haileyyoung2587 if thats the case why is actress even a word? And why is best actress a category in award ceremonys?
You had me at "Produced by Jamie Lee Curtis" the original Scream Queen! LOVED THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE
Allison Tolman is a brilliant actress. I love everything she does! Good flick!
This was SO good. I've been on the receiving end of a couple brushing scams before and it was bizarre. Wound up giving the stuff away as gifts or selling it (worked out really well that way). Would LOVE a part two but don't feel it's needed; I like the open-ended kind of 'ha! she wasn't paranoid!' ending.
It honestly doesn't sound too bad. Free stuff 🤣
I had some small items sent to my house as a brushing scam. Only like hairbands and keyrings but it was very weird.
@@yoshilulu2321It’s never anything good or useful - I got a large pooper scooper and like a hand saw. I guess it’s not the worst thing but nothing useful for me.
I had left a previous comment about this and now that I've watched it again, I understood it a little better. I think I was half asleep the first time I watched this lol! So, I knew she ordered some things for her new place, and it came to $140, but then all that other stuff that just kept getting delivered was beyond creepy. I kept wondering if it was maybe someone online from the AA meeting, because the only people she interacted with were the members of the AA group online and her sister, and even then, she didn't say much. I didn't know anything about brushing until the sister explained it. This person was doing a lot more to this poor woman emotionally and psychologically, and it was so messed up and twisted. She ended up finding out that all those round things in her house were speakers and then towards the end it showed someone behind a computer (able to hear her and see her)! This was so freaky and entertaining. Thank you so much for the upload; I enjoyed this one a lot. Keep up the amazing work!
When he put her on hold that’s the same song my utilities company uses😂😂😂
Omg the actual hold music caused me ptsd hahahaha
The devil in our own mind is probably the most powerful enemy ever...
Well done. Would love to see more of Allison, she was brilliant in the TV series about the young girl who was an alien. (forgot series name)
I’d love to know what show it was 👀
@@kerstieamiya4880 Hi I looked it up...TV series called "Emergence" really good thriller 3 yrs ago I think.
The serie is so good 🤯🤯
Ohh wow!! I got so absorbed in this I completely forgot I was watching a short film that wasn't a big Hollywood blockbuster! Everything about this is 10/10.
She is such amazing actress and a beautiful classy lady too 🌷💐🌷💐🌷
Blown away. This is a brilliant story, and Allison Tolman gave a masterful performance. When she broke down at the end, I wanted to reach through the screen and hug her
The “Your not” wouldve sent me over the edge lol
THE Jaime Lee Curtis produced this? Whoa!
The on Hold music at 5:18 is giving me flashbacks
I watched this like 3 times and I can watch again. Congratulations Russell!! Tense, thrilled, horror and acting, just YES. 👏👏👏
she is a very good actress, the way she play naturally without mannerism and emphasis his state of stress an frightening is perfect...thanks from France
Great Short!! Let this be a warning not to be banging on doors of People going through a difficult time.
Few years ago I surprised my Mom not telling her I was coming over. The bottom hinge always stuck a little, using the heel of my boot my hands were full. Good thing thing she took classes though to be aware of what is considered defensive action and the difference of being scared. Thought before taking a shot at me. That was the last time I ever showed up unounced. 🤣
She's a great actress.
This was really, really good. I've been let down by many horror shorts recently but this definitely wasn't one of them. Thank you!! 🕊️
literally couldn’t watch past 1 minute because of how real it felt. been in these meetings a lot and i literally felt like i was there. hopefully i can finish it later
This was excellent! The post about the blinds gave me chills, and I loved the ending. Thank you for not spoon-feeding us the details, too! Looking forward to whatever you make next! ❤️
Bravo! What a Unique and creative concept. A real modern day nightmare of online shopping debacles, zoom meetings, cell phones, and the horror of being watched, stalked, and generally messed with...This film was superbly acted with great pacing, Cinematography and a palpable building of dread. I really feared for the main character Jen. Thank you dear director and all who made the film possible. Would love to see more...also, thanks to ALTER.
This was so well made, and the main actress did a fantastic job.
She casted in a Netflix Show called "Good Girls"
Absolutely chilling! This was fantastic! My only complaint? Is it wasn’t longer.
This is full feature film worthy👏🏼👏🏼
The acting, production and casting? Were all on point. A sequel perhaps? I’ve already watched it numerous times now, and will rewatch now.
I just seen that Jamie Lee Curtis produced this!
The Queen of horror, and Queen of scream’s!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Most of them are.
Loved it but frustrated at the end at inability to call 911 immediately
Brilliant little film. Wish it was longer. Love Alison. She’s such an amazing actress 😊
I really enjoyed the fraction-of-a-second closing scene! Good job. :)
I LOVE IT! congratulations to everyone who made this short! 👏🏼
It's one of the best shorts I've seen in a while. Well done!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Absolutely the best short horror film about shame and paranoia I could find on CZcams. Excellent quality, sound & acting. Accurate subtitles for those who prefer to read. I thought that the protagonist was being set up to do a terrorism due to the contents of some of the packages and I was not disappointed by how the story actually progressed. I have recommended to others.
It kinda looks like Amazon but they changed the name. I know the feeling of calling one of these companies to question your account and have them just evade all your questions only to be meant with is there anything else I can help you with? So annoying! I loved this , very well acted ❤
I randomly ran into this and being a big fan of Allison Tolman (Fargo, Emergence) I was surprised to see she made a horror short. So I decided to do some research after watching this brilliant unnerving film and found out Russel Goldman aka Jamie Lee Curtis’ right hand directed it and I was no longer surprised. This is excellent work and that final short gave me goosebumps. Great Job on all counts. Brava!
Alters been a hit or miss lately but I thoroughly enjoyed this film ❤
This and "Other side of the box" were just perfect. I have seen quite a bit of horror short films and I have to say these two just top the cake for me.
This film would TOTALLY work for a full-length thing--with the tension and the cuts and the acting. but there HAS to be some other premise for it, or have it drawn out and built up more.
Because this film here is like having an open-budget for some teenagers creepypasta.
One of the best horror shorts I've seen it's Like you could just relate to Julia I felt scared for her. And customer service was just horrible to this woman. She deserves an Oscar it was so well acted that I had forgotten it was a short.
I love suspense stories like this with twists but I’m sad that they always end so sadly 😅 I know that’s not always realistic or needed, but I’d like to see it SOMEtimes, especially for this lady! I hope her sister gets medical attention quickly and they figure out that the main lady wasn’t paranoid after all 😭
Allison Tolman is superb in everything she's in. I love her!!
Sign me up for that scam anytime 😂. Brilliant short btw . Superb , acting first class , great idea
Loved it!!! The JAWS effect via delivered packages, such a great concept. Where’s the feature!? 😍
the violence of hyperaggressive marketing..... OOF. loved this one
Lmao, the "on hold" music. So real.
Wow what a great lead actress! Every scene she's in is so emotionally convincing! 💯
This was so well done. Astoundingly good.
Allison is such an amazing actress! I love her in Fargo and also Castle Rock.
Well that was terrifying! True horror without any screamers
Crazy movie and love the atmosphere and the world. Going to linger in my mind for a while and im sure some rewatches
Russell....This was pretty good!! It shows how online shoppin' can be down right addictive and down right terrifyin'!!!
As someone who is in rehab for alcoholism, this would terrify me as well.
I mean the bottle opener 😳😩💀
Incredible. That lady is an amazing actress.
I loved the name of the company on the packages, smirk. Poking at amazon with their smile logo.
My heart is still racing, that was intense... Great job. The idea that this could happen to literally anyone is scary itself. Much better than any horror I've seen.
Amazing job Russell. Can't wait to see more of your work.
I just got auditory flashbanged by that on hold music. My work has this blasting in the background when they dont hang up the phone properly after making an announcement
I need a part 2 so amazing 😁😄
Awesome, thank you ♥️
This was a truly new non cliche horror story. Excellent five stars
My anxiety definitely ramped up watching this! Great premise.
The script was great. Loved it.
What an excellent short film, I loved Allison Tolman in Emergence. It was a bummer when they canceled that show after one season.
Love the use of the famous Opus No. 1 hold music when waiting for a rep!
Ugh! The worst music ever created! I thought it added nicely to the building dread and discomfort of the film.
@@sarahgrable7479 Theres an idea for a new short... call it "On Hold" 😄
I literally love the lady who plays the main character--I click on every video with her in it 😩😭
Wow this was a fantastic short film! I love the concept 💖
i farted when the window broke, i got so scared😭
WoW, super well done. Thanks for the upload
Loved this!! Great job!!
She is an incredible actress,I was sad when it ended I needed more!!!!!!!!!
This was incredible! no bs, the best short film that i have seen thus far!!
that WINDOW SMASH! Man, this is gold!!!!!
Why is that hold music so damn accurate
Such a good movie!! I love plots like this, when you don't if the MC is actually in danger or they're just crazy! Allison was phenomenal!! Clicked on the movie as soon as I saw her!
awesome short film. Loved it
This girl was an actor on good girls on Netflix
amazing actor. amazing concept. SO GOOD. i love allison tolman.
Beautiful. I understand this as a critique on data harvesting and the dangers of allowing massive corporations to influence and manipulate consumers based on data they've collected.
Amazing unique story. Great acting, sound and direction. Kudos to the team!!
Allison Tolman was great in Fargo season 1. This was a very good short btw.
Allison is a great actress*** hope to see her in a lot more roles especially leading roles ❤️❤️enjoyed this short film ❤️🔥❤️🔥 thanks again ****
the nasal medication is kinda funny cause whoever is watching her is like “please stop the sniffling”
This is terrifying. Great job to everyone involved, especially the writer 🌹
Wow! I've worn those shoes many times. This shows the obsession we can have with something to the point we can driven to the extreme if we let ourselves. I have felt that obsession. Kudos to Alllison Tolman who was so believable I could feel her tension as if it were my own! The climax was so intense and felt so real I was on the edge of my seat. Excellent film! Bravo! 🌹🌹🌹 👏👏👏
I wonder if the car sounds were being played on the speakers and not in real life.
I love this concept.
I love this chic as Molly in Fargo. She's a crack up. Very versatile actress. Excellent short you've created, mate👌🏻. I wasn't aware Jaimie Lee Curtis had broadened her producing horizon. This was a perfect collaboration of creative minds👍🏻.