Jake Hammond’s short Pigskin is a fantastic piece of filmmaking, blending societal pressures into psychological terror. It’s no coincidence that Pigskin’s protagonist, Laurie, is a cheerleader struggling with her body image. It’s why the film hits so hard—infusing psychological terror with real-world angst—and Hammond brings his multi-layered monster to life through a fantastic and poignant story. Much like David Mitchell’s It Follows, Pigskin feels both new and old, a perfect blend of synth and slow, creeping horror.

A high school cheerleader faces a grisly manifestation of her self-deprecating inner demons.

And remember, if you want to see more shorts like Pigskin, be sure to check out the Short Round!