Blindsided (2025)

-Written by Bryan Miller.

2026 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

Blindsided is a sci-fi/horror short from Writer-Director Patrick Hogan, starring Crystal Loverro. The film follows Maria, a blind educator, as she navigates her apartment and fights for survival after an alien invasion leaves her stranded and vulnerable.

So… What works?

The concept here is rock-solid. While we’ve seen stories before featuring protagonists with disabilities facing off against extraterrestrial or supernatural threats, this short remains incredibly engaging throughout its runtime. I’m not certain the premise would sustain a full-length feature, but it thrives in this format. It provides just enough information to establish the stakes and gives the lead character enough emotional weight to keep the audience anchored in nervous tension.

On the technical side, Hogan and Director of Photography James Suter do an excellent job utilizing a confined space. The lighting, or, more effectively, the strategic lack of it, creates a suffocating atmosphere. It forces the viewer to share Maria’s perspective; we hear the danger long before we see it, sustaining the mystery until the very end.

Crystal Loverro also delivers a standout performance as Maria. Despite the short timeframe, she conveys a depth of fear and confusion that makes you genuinely root for her. She portrays Maria as someone forced to navigate a dire situation that would be a nightmare even for those with their sight intact.

Now, what did not work?

The film features two secondary characters who are heard but never seen, and unfortunately, both pulled me out of the moment. Danni, played by Florence Wilder, exists mainly to provide Maria with subtext regarding the invasion, but the dialogue remains frustratingly vague just to keep the audience in the dark. The role simply felt clunky. Why travel all the way downstairs just to die at Maria’s doorstep? Was there a deeper emotional connection? The story never clarifies the significance of this inclusion, especially since Maria doesn't even attempt to open the door despite his pleas. You could have easily cut this character and found a more seamless way to convey the severity of the invasion to Maria.

Overall: 

Though it stumbles occasionally with its supporting logic, Blindsided remains a gripping watch. Its success is rooted in the claustrophobic world Hogan builds and the emotional weight Loverro brings to the lead role.

Written & Directed by Patrick Hogan. 

Starring Crystal Loverro, Florence Wilder, & Jamie Lewis.

8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING