A short horror film has garnered over five million views on YouTube within a few days, standing out for its blend of comedy and horror, based on the concept of a creature that hunts its victims when they feel fear
or anxiety. The film is titled "Remain Calm" and is written and directed by Jake Lewis, based on a story developed in collaboration with Sam Lewis. The cast includes Pauly Shore and Nick Swardson, alongside Doug Jones and Kevin Kiebi,
with a runtime of approximately 14 minutes including the end credits. The story unfolds in a small store attached to a gas station on a remote American road, where Matt (played by Shore) and Erwin (played by Swardson) work a
quiet night shift. The two pass the time with casual conversations until a strange man in a suit (portrayed by Doug Jones) arrives and warns them about a creature that escaped from a government facility in a desert area. The
man reveals that the creature, known as "Mr. Fright," can detect signs of tension and fear in humans and attacks anyone exhibiting these emotions. The workers find themselves tasked with staying calm and appearing happy to avoid becoming prey to
the creature. However, following these instructions proves difficult as the situation escalates from a seemingly trivial moment to a life-threatening confrontation. The film draws comedic elements from the contrast between the growing danger and the workers' attempts to feign calmness,
with forced smiles becoming a survival tactic. Doug Jones plays the man who warns them, while Kevin Kiebi portrays the creature using practical special effects created by the company "Gorgazma," rather than relying solely on CGI. The film's appeal extends
beyond its digital success, as its creators plan to market it as a potential project for expansion into a feature-length film. Pauly Shore has expressed interest in developing the work further, though no decision has been made about producing a
longer version. This interest highlights the potential for short films to serve as a testing ground for cinematic ideas before expanding them into longer projects, especially when they combine a clear plot with characters that mix comedy and tension.
