Saccharine Nightmare

Mason, a 20-something college graduate, is emotionally shattered by a string of failed romantic relationships. On Valentine's Day, he attends a party alongside his best friend Cheryl, clinging to the hope of reconnecting with Harvey, his long-time crush. Harvey's absence leaves Mason adrift and spiraling into doubt about whether love is real at all. He drinks heavily to dull the longing, becoming intoxicated — a decision that sets off a chain of unforeseen and consequential events. The film is an indie queer short (approximately 8 minutes) that interrogates the meaning of Valentine's Day, the ache of unrequited love, and the reckless choices people make when heartbreak goes unanswered. The horror genre tag and tagline ('Cupid took one too many shots') suggest the consequences of Mason's intoxication take a dark or surreal turn, though the specific nature of those consequences is not detailed in available sources. Written and directed by Lawrence Marquez; premiered February 22, 2026 at the Amor Film Festival.

Sources: TMDb overview, Letterboxd, IMDb, web search (Indiegogo campaign description)