Shortcut (2020) is a horror film directed by Alessio Liguori that follows a group of five teenagers who find themselves trapped on their school bus after encountering a mysterious creature. The film begins with the teens—Nolan, Bess, Reggie, Queenie, and Karl—embarking on a field trip with their bus driver, Joseph. During their journey through the British countryside, they are forced to take an alternate route due to fallen timber blocking their path. This decision sets off a chain of events that leads them into danger.

Plot Overview

As they continue their journey, the bus driver stops to remove a dead deer from the road. Upon his return, he is held at gunpoint by an escaped convict named Pedro Minghella. He hijacks the bus and forces the teens to comply with his demands while also confiscating their phones to prevent them from calling for help. The situation escalates when the bus breaks down in a dark tunnel, leaving them vulnerable.

Encounter with the Creature

While attempting to fix the bus, Joseph is attacked and killed by a monstrous creature known as “The Nocturnal Wanderer.” This creature resembles a giant bat and poses an immediate threat to the teenagers. With no way to escape and limited resources, the group must work together to survive against both Pedro and the creature.

Character Dynamics

The characters are archetypal representations of typical teenage roles: Nolan is portrayed as the hero; Bess is the artistic love interest; Reggie embodies rebelliousness; Queenie represents nerdiness; and Karl serves as comic relief. Their interactions often include awkward dialogue and clichés that detract from character development but reflect common tropes found in teen horror films.

Themes and Reception

“Shortcut” attempts to blend elements of horror with coming-of-age themes as it explores friendship and courage under pressure. However, critics have noted that while it has some interesting moments and decent creature design, it suffers from poor pacing, lackluster dialogue, and predictable plot points reminiscent of other films like “Jeepers Creepers 2.” The film’s execution has been described as amateurish, leading many viewers to feel disconnected from both the characters and the story.

Overall, Shortcut presents an intriguing premise but ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling horror experience, resulting in mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike.