Harold Hears a Domestic Dispute will be instantly relatable to anyone who has ever lived in an apartment or similar location where they are surrounded by other tenants. The story centers on the titular character who can hear his arguing neighbors. Not matter what he does to drown out the noise, he cant still hear what sounds like the an loud disagreement between two people.
The short works on many different levels. There is the obvious tension based on what is being heard. Though the argument is muffled, it is clear things are not getting better. There is a constant fear during the silence of Harold Hears a Domestic Dispute. It is not a matter of if the shouting will happen again, but when.
The real horror of the film are the reactions to what is going on. Harold hears and is obviously disturbed by what is going on but does his best to drown it out. It takes a potentially drastic situation for him to actually report the incidents. These moments are the most relatable and therefore scariest parts. Most people have seen people arguing in public. More often than not, they turn away.
Harold Hears a Domestic Dispute plays on this basic human quality. The majority of people do not want to be involved in a heated dispute between strangers. The end of the short hammers this home in a powerful moment that will remain with audience.
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