Directed by William Hellmuth, from a script by J. Scott Worthington, ‘Alone’ is a short sci-fi film that explores the unnerving solitude of an aeronautical engineer after calamity struck her spacecraft. Steph Barkley leads the cast as the central protagonist, Kaya, who encounters daunting isolation and diminishing endurance as her craft approaches a perilous black hole. Thomas Wilson Brown co-stars as Hammer, a marooned mapper whom Kaya befriends through her on-board telecommunications system. A gripping tale that delves into the importance of human connection, and the horror within loneliness.
Throughout the 19-minute film the narrative follows Kaya’s crumbling mental well-being. A spark of hope, through radio contact with another castaway, gives Kaya the impetus to persevere and operate a rescue mission. Without spoiling the concluding narrative, the film takes a heart-wrenching twist that digs into the limit of human tolerance to an isolated existence.
Under William Hellmuth’s exemplary direction, ‘Alone’ is an immersive piece of filmmaking that shouldn’t be overlooked. With outstanding production design and special effects, the film is a fine example of stellar craftmanship and adept attention to detail. A standout performance by Steph Barkley (Kaya) seals the film’s success – a portrayal worth high acclaim and attention. Thomas Wilson Brows gives an equally commendable performance, albeit largely limited to voice artistry. Sound, post-production and lighting are well orchestration – which sets the tone of the drama perfectly. A riveting watch. Highly recommended.
