1. Plot Summary

College roommates—Jennifer, Alex, and Chris—move into a new house and stumble upon a dusty crate in the attic containing a chained ventriloquist dummy named Finley. When Finley comes to life, he embarks on a comically inept mission to murder them—only to repeatedly botch every attempt

2. Notable Elements

• Deadpan Comic Violence: A standout sequence has Finley attempting to rig a hairspray-flamethrower during a birthday party, only to spray himself—classic dark comedic timing .

• Physical Comedy & Traps: One of Finley’s traps ends with a burglar impaled by nails in hands and feet. His failed attempts are both gory and ridiculously funny

• Tone Blend of Horror & Humor: The film’s playful mockery of “evil doll” tropes (Magic, Poltergeist, Child’s Play) gives it charm and freshness

• Craft & Production: As noted by the director, filming wrapped in just a few weeks in a family home, with extensive DIY VFX done over several months—showcasing strong indie spirit

3. Themes and Messages

• Satire of Evil Toy Tropes: Finley turns the clichéd horror trope of a murderous doll into slapstick absurdity—playing with expectations in delightful ways.

• Redemption Through Chaos: Despite his murderous intentions, Finley’s persistence (however misguided) and eventual utility during a real threat suggest that even misfits can find a purpose.

• Subverting Fear with Empathy: We root for—or at least empathize with—a botched killer dummy. This flips the usual narrative where such a figure is irredeemably evil.

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4. Personal Impressions

Finley left a memorable imprint on me with its perfect blend of gore and gags. The comic timing, especially the hairspray incident, is pitch–perfect—and Finley’s frustration over his failures is oddly endearing. My only critique might be that, as a short, it doesn’t deeply explore its human characters—though given the format, that’s hardly a flaw.

On Reddit, fans chimed in with enthusiasm:

“It was pretty funny … Finley is a twenty-five minute comedy/horror short about a killer doll who … can’t quite seem to do his job correctly.” 
“The way he trembles when he messes up lol.”

5. Audience Recommendations

This delightfully twisted short is perfect for:

• Fans of genre-bending horror with a sense of humor.

• Viewers inclined toward parody rather than pure fright.

• Indie film lovers who appreciate clever DIY production.

6. Conclusion & Rating

Final Thought: Finley is a hilariously dark little gem—sardonic, inventive, and just the right length to stay sharp. It’s a witty, scrappy indie that both spoofs and celebrates horror.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 out of 5 stars)