The Pacific Northwest's winter chill inspired Evan Gorski's short story "Paralian."

      The enigmatic Pacific Northwest is central to Evan Gorski’s short film “Paralian,” a murky and ambiguous narrative that weaves together themes of personal loss, revenge, and regional folklore. The film stars Mike Markoff (Hit Man), Tom Jenkins (Oppenheimer), and Sofia Dailey. Without revealing too much, another significant element in “Paralian” involves a fantastic creature, crafted by Josef Rarach and Vlad Taupesh at FX Creator.

      This 15-minute film, which debuted at Panic Fest last year, has also been featured in the Atlanta Horror Film Festival, FilmQuest, HorrOrigins, and Popcorn Frights, among others, and is currently available for streaming on YouTube.

      MovieMaker: Could you share your inspiration behind the film?

      Evan Gorski: There's something inherently haunting about the Pacific Northwest during winter. It feels like an eerie secret. When my director of photography and creative collaborator Michael Babyak and I made our first trip there, the atmosphere made a lasting impression on us. We knew it had to be the backdrop for our next film.

      MovieMaker: The atmosphere is definitely vital to the film. At times, it reminds me of The Fog or The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

      Evan Gorski: I've always been drawn to storytelling that relies on non-verbal elements, where atmosphere and performance take precedence over dialogue. There’s something compelling about allowing the audience to organically feel their way through the story rather than providing explicit instructions on how to interpret it.

      This, along with my passion for cosmic horror (especially H.P. Lovecraft), influenced the foundation of this film. As an enthusiastic scuba diver, I understand how the ocean serves as a perfect breeding ground for the bizarre and horrifying.

      MovieMaker: What message do you want the audience to take from the film?

      Evan Gorski: At its heart, “Paralian” serves as a cautionary tale about the lengths one will go for their loved ones. However, it’s not a narrative with definitive answers. Unlike conventional man vs. monster stories, where the evil is defeated and the survivors escape to safety, this film embraces ambiguity. It creates an eerie, lingering uncertainty that is both disturbing and captivating, much like the Pacific Northwest itself.

      “Paralian” can now be viewed on YouTube.