Nerds That Geek Short Feature Review: ‘Meat Cleaver!’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jessica Ruth Bell as Wendy in Jared Asher Harris’ MEAT CLEAVER!

Caution: This article contains some spoilers for the Short Feature, ‘Meat Cleaver’.
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Stories that examine the afterlife and everything it might entail, follow a pretty specific formula. In that, those who ascend to heaven, quickly find themselves to be enlightened. For now, they see the universe as it stands and understand it in a manner they never did before, and the love they feel for everything makes them tempered and joyous. Of course, on the flip side of that, those who go to hell in these stories, suffer greatly and are filled with pain and regret. Because… well… they’re in hell, and that sucks. Plain and simple. But what’s interesting is how little these stories deviate from that, and that’s odd. Because it might not be the correct way to explore the afterlife.

After all, if one goes by what the good book says, we were made in the image of the almighty, and if that’s the case… then why wouldn’t what lie beyond, resemble our own world? Wherein our flaws were on full display, and our proclivities and quirks were present as well. Because that… would make more sense and that… would make for an easier transition to what lie ahead. Well, it just so happens, that a macabre horror comedy that is wrapping up its festival run, ponders deeply upon what that might look like for both halves of the equation, and well… we absolutely need to celebrate Meat Cleaver! and all the wonder it sends our way, since is shows us… what could be considered… the real afterlife.

A feat that this story accomplishes by introducing us to Wendy, at a very unique time in her life. For she’s entered an office she is not familiar with, and she is being asked to do paperwork that doesn’t make any sense. Oh, and she also has a freakin’ meat cleaver in her head. Which leads to contention and confusion and eventually, an understanding, that this is the afterlife, and she has been dead for some time now with a traumatic injury because you know… meat cleaver. But that aside, Wendy is indeed struggling to understand the sudden nature of her death so she asks the lady in charge, known as G, if she can by chance… reach out across the void and understand why this happened to her, by speaking with the monster that made it happen.

Which really does showcase, an afterlife that would reflect that ‘in thy image’ concept. Since the good G is like so many we’ve known. Smart, direct, and eager to resolve problems, and well the afterlife simply looks and feels like our world. Since we’ve all been in offices that confuse us, and if there is one thing we hate above all else, it’s not having the answers. Which leads to some quirky and hilarious moments as well. That kind that explores the flip side of the coin, in a manner that is impactful and perfectly balances out what Wendy is experiencing, complete with a Lord of Darkness that you swear looks like Jerry or Larry down in the shipping department and yet, that too works. Because it fits that a guy like that… would be downstairs.

All of which brings forth an utterly hilarious and twisted comedy short. One that really does present the afterlife in a meaningful and fun way that we’ve not seen in film or horror for that matter. Which is a testament to writer/director Jared Asher Harris’ work. For he truly brings forth a beautifully fleshed out world. One that just makes sense and that you’ve likely noticed we’ve only touched upon detail wise. Mainly because, we don’t want to spoil all the surprises in this for you, because it is that good, and you need to experience all the wonder of this story of your own accord. But the good news is, you can see it on CryptTV now or at FilmQuest if you’re there, and we hope you give it a look. Because it really is quite the brilliant feature, one that finally informs us that what lies beyond… is pretty normal.

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