Short Film Review: ‘On Guard’ – Fighting Against Your Inner Self.

The strongest aspect of ‘On Guard‘ is that it understands something many sports dramas often overlook the fiercest contests are rarely fought against the person standing opposite you.

Most times, the greatest obstacle is the relentless voice in your own head. Director Will Calkins channels that idea into a tightly wound fourteen-minute short that uses the precision of sabre fencing to explore the emotional toll of perfectionism, ambition, and self-worth.

At first glance, the premise appears straightforward. Jaime (played by Makenzie Pridgen), a talented but emotionally fragile fencer, challenges her friend Taylor (played by Sean Mikesh) to an after-hours duel. Taylor arrives expecting an enjoyable sparring session, but it quickly becomes obvious that Jaime has walked into the gym carrying far more than a fencing mask and sabre. For her, this match represents something deeply personal, and the growing imbalance between their expectations steadily transforms a friendly contest into an emotionally charged confrontation.

What makes ‘On Guard‘ particularly effective is its refusal to over-explain Jaime‘s motivations. Instead of relying on lengthy dialogue, the film trusts its audience to read the tension hidden beneath every movement. The screenplay allows the emotional weight to surface naturally through behaviour, hesitation, and increasingly desperate determination. It creates a character whose actions may become difficult to justify, but whose emotional struggle remains painfully recognisable.

Makenzie Pridgen delivers a performance that anchors the film from beginning to end. She captures the exhausting burden of someone who has allowed success and failure to define their identity. There is an intensity behind her eyes that communicates far more than words ever could, making Jaime feel less like a villain and more like someone trapped inside expectations she can no longer control. Sean Mikesh provides the ideal counterbalance as Taylor. His relaxed confidence and genuine sportsmanship highlight just how differently both characters view the same encounter, making the emotional divide between them increasingly compelling.

Will Calkins‘ own background in competitive fencing clearly informs the film’s authenticity. The choreography never feels like spectacle for its own sake. Every exchange of blades carries emotional significance, with each point serving as another step deeper into Jaime’s deteriorating state of mind. Even viewers unfamiliar with fencing will appreciate how the sport becomes an extension of the characters’ internal conflict rather than simply the setting for it.

The film also makes excellent use of its contained location. The empty fencing hall gradually loses its identity as a sports venue and begins to resemble a pressure cooker where insecurities have nowhere to hide. Combined with sharp cinematography that captures both the elegance and aggression of the sport, the confined setting amplifies the growing discomfort as the duel unfolds. The crisp sound design, from the scrape of footwork on the padded floors to the clash of sabres, further heightens the atmosphere without overwhelming it.

Beyond its sporting backdrop, ‘On Guard‘ speaks to anyone who has ever attached their value to achievement. Athletes, artists, students, and professionals alike will recognise the dangerous pursuit of proving that they are “good enough.” It is an uncomfortable reminder that external victories often fail to silence internal doubts. I will score this short 3 out of 5 stars.

It is compact, and even though I wished to see more, it is still emotionally resonant. You can describe it as a thoughtful character study wrapped inside a tense sporting drama. It leaves a lasting impression not because of who wins the duel, but because of what the contest reveals about the emotional cost of chasing validation where it can never truly be found.