Patrick Mason’s Ayuda has a little bit of everything you want out of a short film—dripping with atmosphere and tension, Ayuda plays with some great horror tropes and creates and array of suspense and mystery. There’s a lot of cool stuff going on here, but to truly appreciate what Ayuda has to offer, it’s best to go in as blind as possible. Mason’s manipulation of the viewer and their expectations is fantastic, as he creates a story that feels like it’s always one step ahead of the audience—just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Ayuda goes to work.

When two day laborers are picked up for work, they quickly realize that their new employer may be hiding a deadly secret.

If you want to see more short films like Ayuda, be sure to check out the Short Round!