James Tynion IV and Elsa Charretier always grab our attention when they release a new comic, so when they partnered with PK Colinet to release a short film we were intrigued. After backing the short film, Room Service, on Kickstarter we were delighted with the results.

We live in a world where everything is for sale, for the right price. Where the wealthy know there is no desire outside the reach of their wallet. Room Service is a brutal glimpse inside that world. Our protagonist is down on his luck, his family is on the verge of ruin, and with the help of the mysterious Caretaker, he might have found a way out of his trouble.

Tynion IV has the uncanny ability to tell stories that both create a sense of suspense and horror, this is no different when it comes to his short film Room Service. We follow a downtrodden protagonist who is struggling to take care of his family and keep them afloat. He is given an opportunity to help them out financially, but with all things it comes with a cost.

In the just over 20 minute short film we are introduced to the man, the woman and the caretaker in a single location over multiple rooms. What takes places in this location is something we don’t want to spoil, but will definitely transport you to a story with some extraordinary at the helm. The story is dark, twisted and horrifying. The special effects, cinematography and sets are well done and had the sense of a great attention to detail. The film is visually appealing for fans of horror films, comics and movies.

While the acting in Room Service may not be award-winning, it is not horrible for a short film on a budget. The emotions and motivations of the characters came through in the end and we were satisfied with the results.

As in most short films things move quickly, but not so much to take away from the story being told. The creators were able to pack a punch within its runtime with the pacing able to keep us engaged to the finish. No unnecessary filler or distractions. As a comic book fan the short film style felt similar to a debut issue of a miniseries, but in film.

Being a crowdfunded project through Kickstarter, Room Service showcases the power of independent creators coming together to bring their vision to life without someone telling them what they can and cannot do. They did not need permission or wallet from a larger corporation, just the fans who follow their comics and creations wanting to see more from these creators.

Room Service raised around $128,000 from over 1,000 backers to bring this project to life. The film was directed by PK Colinet, written by James Tynion IV, and produced/storyboarded by Elsa Charretier. Backers also had the option to choose a reward tier that included a companion comic book, which makes sense coming from this stellar group.

In the end, Room Service gave us another avenue to get immersed in a story by creators like Tynion, Charretier and Colinet. There was blood, horror and suspense and it didn’t take a large chunk of our wallets or time to enjoy. We hope you all get to enjoy seeing this short film at some point, but we feel lucky enough to have viewed it early as a backer of the project.