Rob Munday
Much like the immortal beings at their core, the vampire story shows no signs of dying. Since the early 19th century, these enigmatic creatures have captivated audiences, their dark allure keeping them ever popular. Symbolising fears of aging, death, addiction, and more, vampires are continually reimagined to reflect the anxieties of each new generation. The latest to breathe new life into the genre is director Marco Novoa, whose short film Familiar offers a fresh take on the timeless myth.
Early in Novoa’s 19-minute short, Familiar doesn’t immediately reveal itself as a vampire film – though the title might tip off those well-versed in the lore of these bloodthirsty creatures. As the story unfolds through short chapters introducing its three central characters (Yuri, Caroline & Steve) and their struggles, the film offers only subtle hints of its darker nature. One such moment – Caroline quietly draining blood from her leg – suggests the eerie undercurrents lurking beneath the surface, but these aren’t fully revealed until later in the film.
The first shot from Familiar instantly puts its audience on edge.
It’s this sense of mystery in the film’s opening that keeps Familiar so gripping. The haunting first shot of Caroline cradling a blood-soaked baby immediately unsettles, while the heart-wrenching scene of Steve being abruptly abandoned by his family in the dead of night adds to the emotional weight. But how do these seemingly disconnected moments intertwine? Novoa expertly weaves their fates together in one life-altering moment, leaving the audience eager to uncover what happens next.
If you prefer your vampire films drenched in blood and packed with action, Familiar might not be exactly what you’re looking for. Rather than leaning into full-blown genre tropes – capes, bats, and all – Novoa takes a more grounded approach, focusing on Yuri’s life as a drag performer and Caroline’s lingering grief over her lost child. However, once their true identities are revealed, these personal struggles take on an entirely new dimension, prompting us to reconsider what led them to this point – and what truly drives them now.
While Familiar works as a standalone short, it leaves us at what feels like a pivotal moment in its trio’s journey, hinting at a much larger universe and sparking curiosity about their past, present, and future. A winner of the Vimeo Staff Pick Award at SXSW – where it was praised for weaving together “themes of queerness, connection, and found family” – Novoa’s short enjoyed a strong festival run, also screening at Clermont Ferrand and Regard. Though this is only the filmmaker’s second time in the director’s chair, Novoa is also an accomplished editor, having cut another SXSW short we love: Transylvanie.