Short Film Review: My Name Is John – Impressive and Intriguing!

Body horror can be an incredibly effective genre when filmmakers find ways to make the human body itself feel disturbing. My Name Is John, directed by Jordan A. Roman and written by Frankie Campisano, takes an intriguing approach to this idea, delivering an unsettling short that feels like the beginning of something much bigger.

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What I liked most about the film is its premise. The setup is interesting, and the way it gradually introduces something deeply unfamiliar into an otherwise recognisable situation creates plenty of curiosity. There is enough here to establish an intriguing horror story, and honestly, this feels like a promising pilot for a full-length, 90-minute horror film. By the time the short ends, I found myself wanting to know more about what is happening, and what exactly lies behind the strange presence affecting the characters.

The biggest highlight, however, is the acting. Body horror often relies heavily on elaborate prosthetics, practical effects and CGI to create its disturbing imagery. My Name Is John takes a different route, placing much of its horror in the hands of its performers. The physicality of the performances, particularly the uncomfortable body movements and contortions, does a remarkable job of making the characters appear unnatural. It is impressive how much unease the film creates through these performances rather than depending on VFX.

 

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Sean Fosse and Paige Henderson deserve particular credit here. Their performances help sell the unsettling atmosphere and make the physical horror feel convincing. The film also looks good from a technical standpoint, with its presentation supporting the eerie atmosphere without distracting from the performances. In that sense, it reminded me of Curry Barker’s “Obsession,” another horror film that understands how effectively actors can make an audience uncomfortable. Sometimes, the most disturbing thing is not what a character looks like, but how they move, react and occupy a space.

Ultimately, My Name Is John is an intriguing body-horror short with an interesting premise and impressive physical performances. While it leaves me wanting more answers, that curiosity is also part of its appeal. The foundation is here for a fascinating feature-length horror story, and I would genuinely be interested in seeing where these ideas go next. ‘My Name Is John (2026)’ was recently showcased at the San Francisco Short Film Festival, with more screenings to follow. Follow the production house on Instagram for further updates.

‘My Name is John (Short 2026)’ Rating – 3.5/5

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