A twisted student film about cruelty and karma gets an official release — 15 years later — as a tribute to raw storytelling and early collaboration.
Actor David Perry is dusting off an unforgettable chapter from his early days on set with the surprise digital release of Dog Beater, a 2010 student film that packed a bite and a dark sense of justice.
Originally written and directed by Kera Hildebrandt at Columbia College Chicago, Dog Beater tells the story of a cruel pet owner who must answer for his mistreatment of dogs in his care. “All they ever wanted was to be his best friend, their loyalty a mere afterthought.” Hildebrandt says about the vengeful canines in the horror short. “What they got was a Hell ended only by one last act of pain. But sometimes karma bites back…”
David Perry, who acted in the film during his college years, recently rediscovered the project and decided to bring it back to life as a surprise tribute to its original creator. “I met Kera while we were both waiting in the Financial Aid office at Columbia, and we became fast friends. She was the first student I met who was into Horror movies like me, and when she later told me she was looking for an actor for her final project, I was more than excited to be all in. All I knew about her project was it was gonna be a love letter to Japanese Horror and that added to my excitement.
Kera always had a spark about her and what she created with Dog Beater was fearless. It was strange, smart, and unafraid to make people uncomfortable — the exact kind of horror that sticks with you. She took a simple idea and made it unsettling, and visually unforgettable, all within the constraints of a student film.
Dog Beater wasn’t just a class project — it was a bold, early statement from a filmmaker who clearly had something to say and wasn’t afraid to say it in her own voice. This revival is my way of saying: I saw what you were doing, Kera… and it still deserves to be seen.” The film, once screened only in a classroom, Dog Beater is now available to watch on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1075867641
About David Perry:
David Perry is an actor based in Los Angeles. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, his film credits include Not Another Zombie Movie, Scream Legacy, Springsville, and Camp Pleasant Lake. Visit his IMDB and Follow him on Instagram: @Official_DavidPerry
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