Shortcut

Five classmates board their school bus after a day and head home, only to collide with an unseen force on the road. The encounter leaves the bus damaged and the door jammed, trapping them inside as night closes in. Outside, an eerie presence stalks the vehicle and seems to feed on fear, making every creak and gust of wind feel like a threat. Inside, the kids' faces range from skeptical to panicked, their rivalries pushed aside as survival instincts kick in. They must ration limited supplies, manage power and lighting, and decide who leads when the route is no longer clear. As the danger intensifies, secrets surface and trust is tested, turning field trip into an intense confinement test.

Directed by Alessio Liguori, Shortcut is based on an original screenplay by Simona Ferri and Daniele Cosci. It had a budget of 1.4 million and released in 2020 as an indie horror adventure.

Reception was mixed, with an average around 5.3 from about 126 voters. The story focuses on how teens cope under pressure when danger narrows their world inside a stalled bus. Themes include anxiety, trust, and evolving friendships as a mysterious creature presses them toward a breaking point.