When the Wolf Comes Home

Cassidy (Nestlings) balances gut-wrenching horror and jaw-dropping twists in this stellar outing. Jess, an unsuccessful actress who works at an L.A. diner, has a history of putting her compassion for others over her personal happiness and safety. So when she discovers a terrified little boy in her backyard being attacked by birds, she invites him inside and out of harm’s way. But as she’s figuring out her next steps, a naked man appears outside; he seems to be after the child, who panics when the two make eye contact. Jess and the boy watch through the window as the stranger gets into an argument with two of Jess’s neighbors, who are then attacked by a huge, wolflike creature that breaks into Jess’s home. She escapes with the boy, the start of a desperate flight for survival that leads to a shocking revelation about the neglected child: whatever he fears becomes manifest in the real world. There’s a wonderful Twilight Zone feel to this clever conceit, but even as the threat level rises, Cassidy keeps Jess’s choices plausible and grounded, making the nightmare she’s found herself in all the scarier. This is a hair-raiser. (Apr.)