Short Film Review: Delivery! – Tense, Unsettling & Technically Impressive!

Delivery!, written and directed by Samuel Giordano, is a dark, psychological thriller short that leans heavily into mood, structure, and atmosphere. Set in Philadelphia, the film presents a grim, off-beat narrative about a father navigating a violent and emotionally draining relationship with his mentally unstable daughter. With its non-linear storytelling and gritty aesthetic, the film aims to immerse in confusion, tension, and eventual clarity.

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The story follows Jerry, a middle-aged man trying to provide for his daughter while being trapped in an abusive dynamic. Told in a fragmented, non-linear fashion, the film unfolds in pieces, moments that feel disconnected at first but gradually come together to reveal a disturbing and emotionally heavy reality. As Jerry moves through this dark, decaying environment, the film builds toward a reveal that reframes everything we’ve seen.

One of the film’s strongest aspects is its narrative structure. The non-linear approach works really well here, creating a sense of mystery that keeps you engaged. You’re constantly trying to piece together what’s happening, and when everything finally settles into place, it lands effectively. That storytelling choice adds a layer of intrigue that elevates the short beyond a straightforward thriller.

Technically, the film is very impressive. The cinematography by Will McGinn stands out immediately. Since most of the film takes place at night, lighting becomes crucial, and it’s handled beautifully. Indoors, warm tungsten hues are used to create a sense of discomfort and intimacy, while the exterior scenes rely on LED sources and orange sodium-vapor-style street lighting to give the city a gritty, lived-in feel. The warehouse sequences are particularly striking, using splashes of red and green lighting to create visual contrast and unease, almost reflecting the psychological instability within the story.

The editing by Dylan Hrivnak also plays a major role in shaping the film’s tone. Quick cuts, abrupt transitions, and timeline jumps are used effectively to maintain that disorienting, mysterious vibe. Production design is another highlight. The work by Samuel Giordano and the team adds a lot of texture to the film. Every space feels lived-in and deliberate, especially the reveal of Sadie’s room toward the end, which subtly reflects her mental state without needing heavy exposition. The original score by Daniel Gevorgyan complements this perfectly, maintaining a dark, seedy, and constantly uneasy atmosphere throughout.

Performance-wise, Harry L. Seddon carries the film as Jerry. He brings a menacing, mysterious presence that fits the tone of the story. There’s a quiet intensity in his performance that keeps you watching, even when the narrative is withholding information.

On the other side, if there’s one area where the film could have done more, it’s in further developing the father-daughter relationship. Given that this dynamic is the emotional core of the story, a few (maybe five) more minutes exploring that connection would have made the impact even stronger. As it stands, we understand the situation, but we don’t fully feel the depth of it.

Overall, Delivery! is a technically impressive and atmospherically rich short film that succeeds in creating a tense and unsettling experience. Its strong visual language, editing, and performance make it engaging from start to finish. With just a bit more emotional groundwork, it could have been even more powerful—but even as it stands, it leaves a lasting impression. Stay updated on ‘Delivery!’ and discover more about the film by following the production house’s official Instagram page.

‘Delivery! (Short 2025)’ Rating – 4/5