Film Review: Papa Voodoo (Short Film) (2021)

SYNOPSIS:

After a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger, a young boy is given the tools to take revenge on his adolescent tormentor, and must decide how far he is willing to go to get revenge.

REVIEW:

Directed and written by Kyle Ensrude, Papa Voodoo opens with Richie (Emmanuel Chukwurah) being beaten up by a bully who also happens to be his brother. On the way home from school, Papa Voodoo (Caleb Harris) directs Richie to come inside and see him. Richie’s mom (Diedre Thompson) tries to help her son and encourage him. Richie’s brother Ron (Jordan Toure) isn’t too encouraging to Richie.

Richie decides to start collecting pieces of people like hair and he adds it to the voodoo doll that Papa Voodoo provided him with. Over the years there have been many different types of films associated with voodoo and rituals. Movies like, Angel Heart, The Serpent and the Rainbow, The Skeleton Key, Jessabelle, Voodoo Man, From a Whisper to a Scream.

Many of us think about Papa Legba, an “Iwa in Haitian Vodou.” There have been various versions of Papa Legba, Caleb Harris does a good job portraying Papa Voodoo. Papa Voodoo shows Richie how to make a voodoo doll. He goes over the steps, and Richie wants it for his own brother, his bully.

Kyle Ensrude did such a great job with Papa Voodoo. Emmanuel Chukwurah is playing Richie with a calmness. He’s still and does everything with this quiet demeanor. It’s sad that kids have to worry so much about things. Bullies, life, everyday problems. Kyle’s written and directed other short films. He did a great job with Papa Voodoo.

Make sure to check out PAPA VOODOO and Panic Fest 2022.

#PanicFest