This doesn't present any factual account of the case so, if you go into this looking for info related to the investigation, it will disappoint you. The film is a very indie horror idea that works elements of the Cecil Hotel legends into the story. A small time film maker is trying to make a project that will generate interest her company in the hopes of saving it from bankruptcy. She devises an idea about filming a ghost investigation type of documentary about the Cecil Hotel. She heads to LA and meets a cab driver---the character has a few humorous lines but comes off a bit annoying. She goes to the hotel and waits for her room in the bar. This is where she encounters the spirit of the Black Dahlia, though at the time, she doesn't realize she is chatting with a ghost.
The Elizabeth Short actress bears an uncanny resemblance to the Dahlia, though in modern apparel.
From there, the film maker begins strolling the hallways documenting various places of notoriety. She is a little glib describing these cases, displaying and lack of tact and respect that reflects her overall jaded demeanor. Without giving away too much, this is where she begins to encounter much of the supernatural scares. Elisa herself, or at least what is possibly implied to be Elisa begins showing up. Additionally, ghosts of other unfortunate souls who met their fate at the Cecil terrorize the young film maker as well. A prostitute, possibly one of Ramirez's victims, appears. The little girl ghoul is never quite explained as there is no story of a child who died at the hotel, (at least not one well known as with these other deaths.) The creepiest moments are the near identical elevator scene wherein the actress behaves as the late Elisa in that infamous footage and the water tank scene where she is imagined to be being drowned by Elisa's ghost.
The Dahlia returns to deliver her coup de grace; exploiting these tragedies is perpetuating the horror of what the victims went through. She wants the film maker to stop drop her blase' attitude and develop compassion for those who died in the hotel. The short ends with the film maker realizing there's other ways to save her company than profiting off tragedy. She exits LA as she arrived, being annoyed by a cab driver who seems irreverent yet predator-like.
The horror make up is low budget and, to most of us, eyeroll inducing. For its budget, I think it gave an interesting story with a few moments of real fear. Will this makes any one's favorites list? Not likely. Is it a very nice short that did a good job with its constraints and can keep an audience's attention? Yes. Worth at least a one time watch.
The Elizabeth Short actress bears an uncanny resemblance to the Dahlia, though in modern apparel.
From there, the film maker begins strolling the hallways documenting various places of notoriety. She is a little glib describing these cases, displaying and lack of tact and respect that reflects her overall jaded demeanor. Without giving away too much, this is where she begins to encounter much of the supernatural scares. Elisa herself, or at least what is possibly implied to be Elisa begins showing up. Additionally, ghosts of other unfortunate souls who met their fate at the Cecil terrorize the young film maker as well. A prostitute, possibly one of Ramirez's victims, appears. The little girl ghoul is never quite explained as there is no story of a child who died at the hotel, (at least not one well known as with these other deaths.) The creepiest moments are the near identical elevator scene wherein the actress behaves as the late Elisa in that infamous footage and the water tank scene where she is imagined to be being drowned by Elisa's ghost.
The Dahlia returns to deliver her coup de grace; exploiting these tragedies is perpetuating the horror of what the victims went through. She wants the film maker to stop drop her blase' attitude and develop compassion for those who died in the hotel. The short ends with the film maker realizing there's other ways to save her company than profiting off tragedy. She exits LA as she arrived, being annoyed by a cab driver who seems irreverent yet predator-like.
The horror make up is low budget and, to most of us, eyeroll inducing. For its budget, I think it gave an interesting story with a few moments of real fear. Will this makes any one's favorites list? Not likely. Is it a very nice short that did a good job with its constraints and can keep an audience's attention? Yes. Worth at least a one time watch.
