Backstroke 2017
In the nerve-shredding short film *Backstroke (2017)*, Danish director Robbie Barclay crafts a tense thriller that turns a stolen-car escapade into a claustrophobic thriller.
Director: Robbie Barclay
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Backstroke (2017) about?
*Backstroke* follows two runaway teens who impulsively steal a car, hoping to escape to Florida's promise of sunshine and freedom. Their journey takes a terrifying detour when a stranger appears, cloaked in ambiguity, and hijacks their fragile plans. What begins as a rebellion against routine becomes a fight for survival behind locked doors.
Who directed Backstroke?
Robbie Barclay directed *Backstroke (2017)*, bringing a sharp eye for tension and minimalist storytelling to the short film format.
Who stars in Backstroke?
The cast includes Josefine Christoffersen, Tom Frank, Shemar Yanick Jonas, and Lynn Sher in key roles that shape the film's unsettling dynamic.
Is Backstroke (2017) worth watching?
With its taut pacing and psychological edge, *Backstroke* delivers more suspense than most full-length thrillers in just eleven minutes. While it lacks IMDb ratings for now, its tight direction and strong performances make it a standout micro-horror. Fans of stripped-down suspense will find it a compelling watch.
How long is Backstroke?
*Backstroke* runs for 11 minutes, delivering a concentrated dose of suspense perfect for a quick thrill.
About Backstroke (2017) — A Stolen Car, A Mysterious Stranger, and Florida's Dark Turn
In the nerve-shredding short film *Backstroke (2017)*, Danish director Robbie Barclay crafts a tense thriller that turns a stolen-car escapade into a claustrophobic thriller. Two restless teens chase a sunlit dream of Florida freedom, only to find their journey hijacked by a mysterious stranger whose motives remain maddeningly opaque. Shot in just eleven minutes, the film traps its protagonists—and the audience—in a tight spiral of suspicion, escalating from road-trip adventure to psychological survival. The contrast between wide-open highways and sudden violence amplifies the unease, while the isolated car interior becomes a pressure cooker of dread.
Led by Josefine Christoffersen and Tom Frank as the determined teens, and anchored by Shemar Yanick Jonas as the unsettling outsider, *Backstroke* delivers genre tension without relying on jump scares. Barclay's tight framing and minimal score create a simmering atmosphere where every glance out the window or tap on the window could spell disaster. The film is a compact masterclass in suspense, proving that horror doesn't need scale—just the right mix of curiosity and dread.