Director Benny Klarin serves up a compact, emotional drama with ‘Empty Space’, a raw two-hander set entirely in a therapy office. This short drama bursts with tension, depth, and heart, anchored by two powerhouse performances and elevated by quality cinematography from Robbie Stephens.
The story follows Ashton (Adam Blome), a reluctant, razor-tongued patient who saunters into therapy brimming with defiance. Across from him sits Morgan (Sue Pledger), the unshakeable therapist who calmly chips away at Ashton’s walls. What begins as a sparring match of sharp words and evasive jabs soon spirals into an emotional freefall as Ashton unpacks the ghosts of his past – namely, an abusive father who left scars that still throb.
Blome delivers.. He wears Ashton’s pain like a second skin, his performance seeping with vulnerability even when Ashton fights to keep his guard up. It’s a deep, emotionally charged portrayal that refuses to pull punches. Pledger, meanwhile, embodies empathy with quiet intensity, playing the perfect counterbalance to Ashton’s fire.
Robbie Stephens’ cinematography is a textbook example of how lighting and framing can transform a small, static space into something dynamic and hauntingly intimate. The shots feels deliberate – a window into the characters’ unraveling emotions. The editing and sound design subtly amplify the tension, never drawing attention to themselves but always working in harmony with the performances.
More than anything, ‘Empty Space’ is a story of hope. It doesn’t tie things up, but it offers a glimmer that healing is possible. Klarin has crafted a beautifully poignant short. It’s tough, tender, and unshakably human.
