Lots of people have weird and ambitious ideas for tattoos. Many of them regret these tattoos. But nobody has a tattoo story as horrible as this one.
Today, we’ll be talking about the body horror short, “Inked,” by Kelsey Bollig. It is now streaming on Crypt TV’s YouTube channel, and you can also watch it at the end of this article. It might inspire you to get your own script ready for the next Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition.
The Plot
Dylan is grieving the loss of her father, who died in prison. To honor his memory, she decides to have his ashes tattooed right into her skin. However, since the act, weird things start to happen around her. Soon, her tattoo has changed its shape completely. It turns out, there may have been a mistake. One that could make her a vessel for a horrifying supernatural force.
Mya Hudson and Josh Mabie as Dylan and The Inkman
Mark of a Killer
The idea of permanently insterting another person’s remains into your skin is an unnerving concept, even if it is somewhat normalized. This short asks the disturbing question of “What if you’re not getting the right ashes put into you?” And uses a spiritual lens to turn it into something truly horrific.
The centerpiece of this short is a sequence of the force behind the tattoo being released into the world in a sequence that leans heavily into body horror. The scene is gross and violent, but it’s made even more unsettling by catering to man’s fear of bugs. But beyond the shock value and creepiness, it’s also disturbing for what’s implied to be coming out of her.
It is a standard example of body horror. Not only in the sense that something horrible’s coming out of her body in a disturbing, unnatural way. But also because of her losing turning into something that goes against her good nature.
What Makes It Killer?
“Inked” is a disturbing short that takes a disturbing concept, and transforms it into effectively creepy and gross horror. It will make your skin crawl. Just like hers did.
Watch it below.
Connect with the Filmmaker:
