Stranger Things writer Kate Trefry chose to make her directorial debut with the gloriously trippy How To Be Alone, a short film that delves into the darkest corners of the mind. Trefry clearly has a future in directing—this thing is vibrant with stunning shots, unsettling atmosphere, and sharp dialog that cuts through each scene like a knife.

Genre fans will appreciate the film’s twisted imagery—props to Trefry for not holding anything back—and Maika Monroe delivers a fantastic performance as a woman dealing with her inner demons. It’s certainly an interesting take on how we deal with our thoughts—the good and bad—and I love the entire tone of the film; it’s almost playful in a way, and Monroe sells the shit out of it.

If you want to see more short films like How To Be Alone, be sure to check out the Short Round!