‘Mama’ is set to be released next month and now the short film that inspired Guillermo del Toro to produce the movie has been rereleased, this time with an introduction from the famed director.

The short is only 3 minutes long and appears to have been filmed in a single take, but it contains enough spine tingling chills that blows most horror movies away.

In the introduction, del Toro explains what it was in this short film that prompted him to want to take on the role of executive producer for the feature version:

“The short was essentially one of the scariest little scenes I’ve ever seen. It was also incredibly well-made. … very claustrophobic. Really atmospheric. Really, really scary. You’re going to see the craftsmanship, ingenuity and the horror that really made me want to come in and produce the feature version of Mama.”

Del Toro wasn’t kidding when he said this was “really, really scary”!

The feature version was written by Neil Cross (‘Luther,’ ‘Day of the Triffids’), Barbara Muschietti and Andres Muschietti (the latter two also made the short film) and is directed by Andres. Here’s a synopsis of the film:

‘Mama’ is a supernatural thriller that tells the haunting tale of two little girls who disappeared into the woods the day that their parents were killed. When they are rescued years later and begin a new life, they find that someone or something still wants to come tuck them in at night. Five years ago, sisters Victoria and Lilly vanished from their suburban neighborhood without a trace. Since then, their Uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain), have been madly searching for them. But when, incredibly, the kids are found alive in a decrepit cabin, the couple wonders if the girls are the only guests they have welcomed into their home.

As Annabel tries to introduce the children to a normal life, she grows convinced of an evil presence in their house. Are the sisters experiencing traumatic stress, or is a ghost coming to visit them? How did the broken girls survive those years all alone? As she answers these disturbing questions, the new mother will find that the whispers she hears at bedtime are coming from the lips of a deadly presence.

The one promising thing about this film is that it’ll be from the same director who filmed the short. You can watch the short below as well as a trailer for the film.

‘Mama’ Short Film with Introduction from Guillermo del Toro:

‘Mama’ Theatrical Trailer:

‘Mama’ will be released in theaters on January 18, 2013.

Source: THR