Don’t Peek SXSW 2021 review: This Animal Crossing horror short will scare you off your Nintendo Switch

Don’t Peek screened as part of the 2021 online SXSW Film Festival. You can find all of our coverage from this year’s edition here. 

If you spent the better part of quarantine endlessly customizing your island on Animal Crossing, Don’t Peek will feel like a personal attack.

This unnerving short from writer/director Julian Terry stars Katie C’etta as a young woman playing Animal Crossing on her Nintendo Switch late one night in her bedroom when she realizes a terrifying creature has made its way from the game into her very room.

A funny and eerie short with solid creature effects, Julian Terry has somehow managed to turn the wholesome world of Animal Crossing into something to fear, which is no small feat.

Don’t Peek is already in development as a feature from Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), and it will be interesting to see if Nintendo gives the filmmakers the go-ahead to use footage from their family-friendly game in a genuine horror film.

In the meantime, you can check out the complete short below. You’ll never look at your Switch the same way again.