Cellar Door

Starring Daniel Miller

Directed and Edited by Chris Pearson

Introduction

Cellar Door is a truly unique experimental piece. With absolutely no dialogue. You’re taken deep into a world of mystery and unease, forced to piece together what’s happening moment by moment. The director describes it as “an experimental film about a man combating his obscure surroundings”. Going into it with that understanding is key. In this review, I’ll break it down into four sections: performance, composition/lighting, editing, and story.

Performance

Daniel Miller had a tough challenge, carrying an entire film without dialogue and with an abstract story direction. My first impression was that he may be a professional actor, or just some random stranger asked to explore a creepy basement for the camera…  surprisingly, that choice works brilliantly. Whether intentional or not, Miller’s raw, natural energy makes the experience feel authentic. It feels as though he is discovering this strange world at the same time the audience is, which creates a genuine sense of connection between actor and audience.

Composition & Lighting

This is the film’s strongest yet weakest element. On one hand, much of it is visually stunning, so much so that I rewatched certain scenes several times. One standout moment shows Miller walking through cobwebs, staring at a glowing, cocoon-like object as flickering lights dance across his face. It’s quite mesmerizing. About 70% of the film achieves this level of visual intrigue.

However, the remaining 30% feels inconsistent, somewhat sloppy at times, or perhaps rushed. It’s hard to tell whether this unevenness is intentional or a byproduct of experimentation/deadlines. If it was an artistic choice, it’s a reminder that beauty in experimental work is entirely subjective. What feels unfinished to one viewer might feel expressive to another.

Editing

I suspect this may have been a practice piece; an exploration of new visual techniques or editing rhythms. Most of it works well, but there are moments that leave me puzzled, like a brief shot of a skeleton floating in space. I couldn’t quite figure out why it was there, yet somehow that confusion felt thematically consistent. The film thrives on its “Why?” factor, it’s less about understanding and more about feeling your way through the unknown.

Story

There’s no clear narrative, and that’s okay. Cellar Door doesn’t tell you what’s happening, it invites you to experience it and make some decisions on your own. I spent the entire runtime confused, curious, and slightly uneasy, but never bored. That emotional dissonance is the story. Sometimes short films don’t need traditional arcs or dialogue; they just need to provoke emotion and questions.

When the director describes the film as “a man combating his obscure surroundings,” I’d actually amend that to:

“An experimental film about a man combating his obscure surroundings, with you.”

Because as a viewer, you’re not just watching Daniel navigate this space, you’re exploring and struggling right alongside him.

Final Thoughts

Cellar Door is haunting, confusing, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of film that burrows deep into your subconscious, and years from now you’ll have a dream about it without realizing why it feels familiar. It’s not perfect, but it’s the kind of imperfection that lingers, the mark of a filmmaker unafraid to experiment.

Rating: 7.5/10

You can’t stream it right now, but if you ever spot Cellar Door on the festival circuit, it’s worth a watch. You’ll leave bewildered, but fascinated.