The Impression

HOLLYSHORTS 2026 REVIEW! Director Luke LaFountaine’s The Impression proves that you can size someone up in seconds, but that doesn’t mean you’re right.

Rushing to work, Alena (Liliia Halushko) has her son Max in tow, and the two of them end up on a train surrounded by strangers. A man named Felix (Daniel Bernhardt) drops into the seat across from her and starts a friendly conversation. He asks where she’s from. She tells him: Ukraine. Excusing themselves to use the facilities, Felix’s phone rings, and he urgently explains that he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing. He’s working on a plan. As the train nears its next stop, Alena is distracted, and in a split second, Felix and Max are missing.

Alena frantically searches for them, and at the top of the platform, she sees Felix shoving Max into a car. As she rushes down the stairs to rescue Max, Felix’s men surround her and tell her that if she knows what’s good for her, she’ll stop and let them leave. The lesson to be learned—Never threaten a mother’s child.

“Alena frantically searches for them, and at the top of the stairs, she sees Felix shoving Max into a car below.”

The Impression lives up to its title. It’s a simple story about first impressions, how we size people up in seconds, and how often we get it wrong… dead wrong. Felix slides into Alena’s life and, let’s just say, underestimates her ability to be a threat.

The Impression also delivers as a straight-up action thriller. The tension on the train is palpable. From the start, we know something’s off when our leads’ actions feel normal and authentic. The train’s cramped space also helps build that tension. Then there’s the confrontation, featuring a well-choreographed fight scene, and, finally, the reason Alina can hold her own.

Luke LaFountaine’s The Impression packs a punch, balancing a theme of first impressions with a tightly staged, well-choreographed thriller. This is not a short underestimate.

The Impression screened at the 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival.