Longtime friends James and Colin travel down a path in the middle of the woods looking for James' long lost grandparents. When they arrive at a dilapidated cabin, they quickly realize they're in the wrong place.
This short film comes to us from director Sid Zanforlin, who has already won the Best Short award at Fantasia in 2014 with "Attack of the Brainsucker". Will this be his second Fantasia win? "Never Tear Us Apart" is a horror-comedy that teaches us there's more than one way to be "attacked by a cougar", and underneath all the humor and gore, it has a message of family, and what it means to be a real family. As Zanforlin says, "Some of my favorite films, 'An American Werewolf in London', 'The Thing', 'Psycho', and 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' deal with identity and family issues." Maybe you've never thought of them in that way before.
The setting and joviality of the film calls to mind such modern classics as "Tucker and Dale Versus Evil", which is certainly a positive thing. We are given high-quality cinematography and top-notch practical effects, which are always a welcome sight. (One effect is enhanced by CG, but only as much as needed.) On the musical end, the score is subtle but effective, and towards the end we are treated to a nice rockabilly song which really tied everything together. At only six minutes long, "Never Tear Us Apart" leaves enough of a sweet taste in your mouth to make you want seconds. If Zanforlin can keep this level of quality at full-length, I think he has a hit on his hands.
