The Tivo (2009)
Adam Green's nine-minute horror-comedy in which a beloved DVR turns dangerously possessive — with deadly consequences for everyone nearby.
The Tivo - Movie Information
The Tivo - Plot
A man is delighted by how his new Tivo has changed his life, until the machine becomes obsessed with him and begins killing people.
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The Tivo - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Adam Green
Main Cast
- Laura Ortiz
- Rileah Vanderbilt
- Parry Shen
- Paul Solet
Writers
- Adam Green
Producers
- Jason Richard Miller
The Tivo - FAQs
What is The Tivo about?
The Tivo follows a man who becomes thrilled with his new DVR — until the machine develops an unsettling obsession with him and starts murdering people around him. Written and directed by Adam Green, this nine-minute horror-comedy blends domestic absurdity with slasher sensibility for darkly funny results.
Is The Tivo a short film?
Yes, The Tivo is a short film running just nine minutes. Released in September 2009, it was produced by ArieScope Pictures — Adam Green's production company — and serves as a compact, punchy horror-comedy that packs a surprising amount of personality into its brief runtime.
Who directed The Tivo?
Adam Green directed The Tivo. Green is best known for the Hatchet franchise and the survival horror film Frozen (2010). He also wrote the script for this short, which was produced through his company ArieScope Pictures and shot by cinematographer Will Barratt.
Who plays the TiVo in the film?
Laura Ortiz portrays the TiVo itself — a wonderfully strange casting choice that gives the murderous machine a physical, human presence. Ortiz is joined by Rileah Vanderbilt as Susan, Parry Shen as James, and Paul Solet as the guy on the phone.
What genre is The Tivo?
The Tivo blends horror and comedy — a combination often called horror-comedy. It takes a mundane piece of household technology and turns it into a jealous, homicidal presence, playing the premise for both laughs and scares in the tradition of campy genre shorts.
Is The Tivo worth watching for horror fans?
If you enjoy playful, self-aware horror with a comedic edge, The Tivo is a fun nine-minute detour. Adam Green has a knack for genre filmmaking with a wink, and this short delivers a clever premise executed with the same irreverent energy found throughout his broader body of work.
What are similar films to The Tivo?
Fans of The Tivo might enjoy Single White Female (1992) for its obsessive-stalker dynamics, Watcher (2022) for slow-burn dread, or the anthology comedy Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) for a similarly absurdist genre tone. Amusement (2008) and Popcorn (1991) also share its playful horror spirit.
Who produced The Tivo?
The Tivo was produced by Jason Richard Miller under ArieScope Pictures, Adam Green's production banner. ArieScope has been behind much of Green's genre output, including the Hatchet series, making it a reliable home for this kind of inventive, low-budget horror-comedy filmmaking.
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