Cross Examination (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Cross Examination is a five-minute New Zealand horror short about a group of teenagers who investigate a church in search of their lost friend. Their search takes an unsettling turn when a mysterious force blocks their way, bringing religious and teen-horror elements together in a brief story.

Cross Examination is a 2026 horror short from New Zealand, written and directed by Lachlan Cook. With a runtime of five minutes, it presents a compact story centered on a group of teenagers searching for a lost friend inside a church.

The film’s premise combines teen horror with religious-horror elements, placing its characters in an investigation that becomes complicated by an unexplained force. Its short length suggests a focused setup rather than an expansive narrative.

Cross Examination movie details

Story without spoilers

A group of teenagers begins investigating a church after their friend goes missing. What starts as a search leads them into contact with a mysterious force that stands in their way. The supplied premise establishes the film’s central situation without revealing the nature of the force or how the investigation unfolds.

What to expect

Cross Examination is categorized as horror and is identified with the keywords religious horror and teen horror. The church setting, missing-friend premise and supernatural obstruction provide the film’s basic source of tension. At five minutes, the story is built around a concise horror setup and a tightly limited runtime.

Cast and creative team

Lachlan Cook directs Cross Examination and shares writing credit with Aidan Rosenberg and Jacob Hubbard. The cast includes Ani Palmer as Kate, Elsie Woodward as Laura, Ella Grindle as Julia, Margaret Young as Alyssa and Luca Tufuga as Harry.

• Ani Palmer as Kate
• Elsie Woodward as Laura
• Ella Grindle as Julia
• Margaret Young as Alyssa
• Luca Tufuga as Harry

Release and production context

Cross Examination is listed as a 2026 release from New Zealand, with a release date of August 25, 2026. It has a runtime of five minutes and is in English. The supplied production information does not list a production company.

Movies Dock view

With its brief runtime and clearly defined horror premise, Cross Examination focuses on a church investigation involving teenagers and a missing friend. The film may appeal to viewers looking for a compact horror story built around religious imagery and an unexplained threat.

Film data:
TMDB