‘The City of Dunwich’ Review: A New Journey into Chris Milewski’s Dreamy Horror Universe!

It was back in the summer of 2017 that I discovered a director who had built a time machine or at least captured a period of films in a bottle to unleash upon those curious enough to step inside his showcases of the dreamy and macabre. Chris Milewski ultimately is a genius for he brought back the Euro-style of cinema lost for many decades with two shorts I reviewed at the time, Violets Bloom at an Empty Grave & World of Shadows (see review of both here). This was art, totally formed with a pure love of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. 

This journey continued with a few other reviews including, Phantoms of the Fog (see review for Phantoms of the Fog here). Each slice of gloom is a new gateway to the fondly remembered films of Europe at its horror heights. Chris stated in the interview I did with him back in 2017 (see interview with filmmaker Chris Milewski here) that the style comes naturally as it’s all he knows.

So, it’s with great pleasure I get to present a new short film, The City of Dunwich, available to watch on his YouTube channel (here) and introduce my Partner in Gore, Willow, to this spellbinding realm of horror.

In fact, the stunner for me came when I realised that The City of Dunwich is very different. It feels slightly unformed. Chris did say that he isn’t totally thrilled with it, but he’s put it up on his YouTube channel regardless. Opening to a boat yard, or graveyard, because some of these will never sail again. Our one character, John, arrives, stepping over a dead thing in his path.

John is played by Ryan Capizzi of Chris’s previous auteur outing, A Thousand Steps (see review of A Thousand Steps here). Ryan is unfortunately as draining here as he was back in 2020. The man has little to no charisma but shows a willingness in the films I suppose. Besides, 12-minutes shouldn’t be too bad (A Thousand Steps was 20-minutes in length).

He hears a piercing scream and goes to look. He sees nothing however he does find a silver coin dated 1919. The music changes as he strolls back. The coin is left aside, and he sleeps. John dreams of a sepia tinted past, the city decades ago, the same coin, and multiple images and mouths. There’s a ship disaster, death, and screaming all over the place.

Then there’s half of the plank with a name floating in the water — obviously Dunwich. He awakens and the coin transforms into a ticket for the steam ship. Passage to Dunwich. On his computer, John looks up some information. Yes, in 1919 there was indeed a tragedy as the boiler exploded a steam ship did sink. Everyone is dead apart from the captain who was never found.

John’s eyes suddenly glow ominously, and he goes exploring, looking for answers… 

The City of Dunwich is a mellow chiller. It’s small in scope compared to Chris Milewski’s previous works. We have his usual filters, a bit of blood, and this time a neat, if somewhat obvious twist ending. Hold on ‘til after the credits for the cherry on the top of the twist, by the way.

As an additional note, composer Carlo Maria Cordio is legendary, having worked on loads of films including Fulci’s Touch of Death, Door to Silence, Shocking Dark, and Troll 2.

This is nowhere near as good as his earlier little epics, so I recommend anyone who hasn’t ventured into this place before to check all of his stuff that came before or at least Violets Bloom at an Empty Grave (see above), plus Phantoms of the Fog (see review of Phamtoms of the Fog here).It’s nice to have Chris back in the Severed Cinema nest though. Hoping with more stuff on the way soon. 

Here’s his YouTube link again, everything exists within: https://www.youtube.com/@FilmiracleProductions

Directed by: Chris Milewski (as alias)
Written by: Chris Milewski (as alias)
Produced by: Chris Milewski
Editing by: Chris Milewski (as alias)
Cinematography by: Chris Milewski (as alias)
Special effects by: Chris Milewski (as alias)
Music by: Carlo Maria Cordio
Cast: Ryan Capizzi, Wayne Camp (voice)
Year: 2023
Country: USA
Language: English
Colour: Colour, Sepia
Runtime: 12min

Studio: Filmiracle Productions