Experiencing Interruptions?

Check The Locks

A woman struggling with OCD retreats to a friend's cabin in the woods -- only to discover that her coping mechanisms are mysteriously turning against her.

  • Eric Larson
    Director
  • Eric Larson
    Writer
  • Eric Larson
    Producer
  • Jessica Hong
    Producer
  • Becky Wells
    Producer
  • Angela Wong Carbone
    Key Cast
    Resurrection, Chicago Med, Doublespeak
  • Kenny Sulemeimanagich
    Cinematographer
  • Keegan DeWitt
    Composer
    All The Bright Places
  • Allie Ames
    Colorist
    Her, The Girl on the Train
  • Eric Larson
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Thriller, Drama
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 24 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 29, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    14,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Nightmares Film Festival
    Columbus, Ohio
    United States
    October 22, 2022
    Midwest Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Nightmares Film Festival
    Columbus, OH
    Best Lead Performance - Shorts
  • New York International Short Film Festival
    New York, New York
    United States
    October 27, 2022
    New York Premiere
    Official Selection
  • New York Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    Best Picture
  • New York Film Awards
    New York, NY
    Best Screenplay
  • New York Film Awards
    New York, NY
    Best Trailer
  • New York Film Awards
    New York, NY
    Best Indie Short
  • New York Film Awards
    New York, NY
    Best First-Time Director
  • New York Film Awards
    New York, NY
    Best Horror
  • Cannes World Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    Best Paranormal Film
  • Cannes World Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    Best First-Time Filmmaker
  • Cannes World Film Festival
    Cannes
    France
    Best Trailer
  • Montreal International Film Festival
    Montreal, QC
    Canada
    Official Nominee
  • Pittsburgh Moving Picture Festival
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    United States
    October 22, 2022
    Pennsylvania Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Fright Lake Film Festival
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    United States
    October 15, 2022
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Shockfest Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    December 10, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles, CA
    Best Horror Short - August 2022
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles, CA
    Silver Award - Best Editing
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles, CA
    Silver Award - Best First-Time Director
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Best Trailer - August 2022
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Best Producer - August 2022
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Best Sound Design - August 2022
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Outstanding Achievement - Best Original Score
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Nominated - Best First-Time Director
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Outstanding Achievement - Editing
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Outstanding Achievement - First-Time Director
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    Nominee - Best Producer
  • Paris In The Dark
    Paris
    France
    April 15, 2023
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • RED Movie Awards
    Reims
    France
    Best Trailer
  • Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    Silver Award for Best Horror
  • DUMBO Film Festival
    Brooklyn, NY
    Semi-Finalist
  • All Around FIlms - Berlin
    Berlin
    Germany
    Best Trailer
  • Paris In The Dark
    Paris
    France
    April 28, 2023
    French Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Bute Street Film Festival
    Luton
    United Kingdom
    April 13, 2023
    United Kingdom Premiere
    Nominated: Best Film
  • West Chester Film Festival
    West Chester, Pennsylvania
    United States
    April 30, 2023
    Eastern Pennsylvania Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Oregon Screams Film Festival
    Portland, Oregon
    United States
    March 31, 2023
    Portland Premiere
    Nominated: Best Director
Distribution Information
  • Bad Dreams: The Best of the Nightmares Film Festival 2022
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Video / Disc
Director Biography - Eric Larson

Eric Larson is a writer and filmmaker.

Originally from Wisconsin, he earned a degree in journalism and began his career as a reporter in New York City, writing articles and producing videos for outlets such as Mashable, BuzzFeed, and GQ.

He now works as a freelance director / creative director, where he's made commercials and creative campaigns for brands like Google, Casper, Nike, Amazon Fashion, and the LGBT Center of New York. His advertising work has garnered accolades from Awwwards, FWA, and D&AD, among others.

"Check the Locks" is his first short film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Check The Locks" was inspired by my own experiences with anxiety. For years, I'd been unable to leave my apartment until I'd meticulously checked my stove to make sure it was turned off. As my anxiety worsened during the pandemic, I even began to take pictures of the turned-off stove before I left -- that way, I could check in later and tell myself, "See, it's off. You have nothing to worry about."

The pictures became the antidote to my anxiety attacks, but over time I started to feel like I was becoming a little too reliant on them. That's where the idea for the film was born.

In "Check The Locks," the main character, Anna, has the same affliction as me -- only her obsession is with locked doors. I wanted to explore the idea of what would happen when a reliable comfort, like photographic proof, is ripped apart from the inside out -- and why that ultimately might be the best path toward healing.