Stairs (2026)
Story overview
This 13-minute dark comedy-drama-horror film follows a woman whose life spirals out of control as she develops an unusual and dangerous addiction to throwing herself down flights of stairs. The story explores themes of self-destructive behavior, mental health struggles, and the surreal consequences of addiction through a blend of comedic, dramatic, and horror elements.
Parent Guide
A darkly comedic short film about self-destructive addiction with horror elements. Contains repeated depictions of stair-falling accidents presented with varying tones from humorous to disturbing. Explores serious themes through absurdist lens.
Content breakdown
Repeated scenes of a woman throwing herself down stairs with resulting injuries (bruises, limping). Falls are sometimes played for dark comedy, sometimes shown as painful. No graphic gore, but the repetitive nature and self-inflicted harm are central to the plot.
The premise of addiction to self-harm is psychologically unsettling. The horror elements come from the absurd yet compulsive nature of the behavior. Some scenes may be disturbing due to the character's lack of control and the surreal escalation.
Minimal strong language expected given the short runtime and dark comedy tone. May include occasional mild expletives related to pain or frustration.
No sexual content or nudity indicated by the premise or genres.
No depiction of alcohol, drugs, or smoking. The addiction theme relates to behavior rather than substances.
Emotionally complex due to the blend of comedy and disturbing content. Viewers may feel uncomfortable laughter mixed with concern. The short format limits deep character development but creates a concentrated emotional experience.
Parent tips
This short film contains dark humor about self-harm and disturbing imagery of stair-falling accidents. While brief, it presents addiction in an absurdist, potentially frightening way. Best for mature teens who can handle psychological themes; not recommended for young children.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
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- What did you think about the woman's strange habit?
- How did the movie make you feel when she kept falling?
- Why do you think she couldn't stop doing something that hurt her?
- What commentary do you think the film is making about addiction and mental health?
- How effective was the blend of comedy and horror in telling this story?
- What real-life issues might this absurd premise be representing?
- How does the short format affect the storytelling and impact?
Where to watch
Streaming availability has not been announced yet.