Little Brown Bird: A Powerful Horror Short on Dementia

Little Brown Bird (2023)

Written and Directed by Peter Rogers

On the shortest day of the year an overworked farmer must care for her father, who is living with dementia, as he becomes increasingly convinced something is hunting them.

Little Brown Bird: A Horror Short on Dementia

I met writer, director and VFX guy, Peter Rogers, last week, at the Screams by the Sea 2025 film festival down in sunny Bournemouth. Chatting in the pub after an eventful day, musing over the films that had been shown and the short film showcase, Pete told us about his short film, Little Brown Bird, that was shown as part of the Screams by the Sea showcase the previous year.

Always happy to watch a short film, Pete sent copy over after the festival and I sat down to enjoy it a week later.

Little Brown Bird is set in a remote farmhouse where Kate (Eliza Butterworth) cares for her dad (John Rhys-Davies) who is suffering with dementia. Not only is she a carer to her dad, she also has to tend to the farm which, on this fateful night, includes preparing the grounds against mysterious invaders that her father is fearful of.

“This is the day they hunt”

As they undertake a Winter Solstice ritual to keep evil at bay, night falls and all they have for protection is an old book, some totems, and a shotgun.

When the Hunters, led by Ilja Kondratjuks arrive, the mystery of who they are hunting and why becomes clear and, while I don’t want to spoil anything, the short definitely didn’t go the way I was expecting.

Little Brown Bird is an atmospheric and heartbreaking account of dementia and the impact it has on the individual and their family. Although the horror elements in the short are not typically seen in cases of dementia, as someone who lost a father-in-law to Alzheimer’s not long ago, what Pete has done here is perfectly blend the horror of the disease with the horror of the story. The parallels between the impact of dementia and the themes of the living dead are clear.

Dad slips in and out of his dementia over the course of the short, driving home just how hateful and cruel this disease is, and we can see the internal struggle in Kate as she is torn between caring for her father and making a decision to finally let him go. It’s an emotional film that raises questions about death, grief, loss and, dare I say it, assisted dying. It packs a lot in to 18 minutes.

Little Brown bird is well written and directed and Butterworth and Rhys-Davies work very well together, portraying the conflicts of love and frustration so common in relationships defined by dementia. The scenes set at night are shot nicely to ensure the darkness lends a sense of foreboding but are lit well enough to let you see what is going on. I’m not a director or cinematographer, but it worked for me!

If I had to find any criticism with the film then it would be a slight pacing issue in one or two scenes at the end of the film. When the Hunters arrive, I felt they could have achieved their goal quite easily but seemed to delay for no reason. It’s hard to explain without spoiling the film, so I won’t, and I appreciate it needed to be filmed that way to allow the viewer to put the pieces of the story together. Ultimately, it is a very minor point in what is, otherwise, a fantastic, atmospheric, and thought-provoking short; something Pete and the team should be very proud of.

Little Brown Bird isn’t currently on “general” release to view, but is on the festival circuit and next up it will be available to view online at the Hastings Rocks festival in the Honourable Mentions sections between 9^th and 14^th April. 

Further Reading

Horror movie fans looking to deepen their appreciation for the genre should definitely check out the Horror Movie Review section of Ginger Nuts of Horror. This platform is a treasure trove of insights, critiques, and discussions that resonate with both casual viewers and dedicated aficionados alike.

Firstly, the reviews are penned by passionate writers who understand the intricacies of horror filmmaking. They delve deep into the elements that make each film unique, from unsettling visuals to compelling sound design, offering a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond superficial impressions. Such in-depth reviews can enhance viewers’ understanding and appreciation of the genre, revealing layers of meaning and intention that may go unnoticed during a first watch.

Lastly, with its focus on both mainstream and indie films, the Horror Movie Review section is an excellent resource to stay updated on upcoming releases and trends in the horror landscape. For any horror buff, exploring The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website is an essential step toward a deeper connection with the genre.