Everhand (2025)

-Written by Bryan Miller.

2026 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

Everhand is a science fiction short directed and edited by Shane Hillier, written by Mario Cassem, and starring Sarah Beth Budd, Lee Cleaveland, and Ron Williams. The film follows a farmer who has only one hand, making it difficult for him to maintain his farm. As with many cautionary tales, things appear to improve at first… but there’s always a catch.

So… What works?

The black-and-white cinematography enhances the mood, giving it a Twilight Zone–like feel. Shadows make indoor scenes feel enclosed, while outdoor shots create a sense of isolation. The lack of dialogue also adds to the unease, letting the visuals carry the story.

Now, what did not work?

At six minutes, Everhand has to cover a lot in a short time. A longer runtime would have allowed the story to develop more fully, but the lack of time forced the story to move quickly, which leads to plot holes. The Everhand comes with simple directions: Always Fuel, Never Remove, Avoid Interference. The instructions are vague, and the methods for fueling the arm and understanding “interference” are discovered only by chance, which makes the rules confusing. 

The film’s villain, the ominous Everhand Salesman, is presented in a way that makes him seem far less intimidating than probably intended. A sinister-looking man in a black suit who suddenly and inexplicably arrives with no warning has been done so often that it is no longer effective. He could have been presented differently while still remaining unnerving and off-putting.

Overall:

Everhand is effective for its length, keeping viewers interested, but it remains simple and fairly generic. The acting doesn’t stand out, and the story could have been stronger with more time to explore the concept. There’s potential here, but the short mainly works as a brief, intriguing idea.

Directed by Shane Hellier. 

Written by Mario Cassem. 

Starring Sarah Beth Budd, Lee Cleaveland, & Ron Williams.

6/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE