Matt Esteron’s ‘I Forgot To Shop’ is a compact burst of sci-fi comedy that manages to be both eccentric and impressively crafted. Entirely made by Esteron – writing, directing, shooting, performing – it’s a one-man show that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Set during the holiday season of “Links-Us”, the film follows a panicked robot who realizes, far too late, that he hasn’t bought a gift for his roommate, Astro. What unfolds is a deeply quirky journey through a tech-saturated world where the robot bickers with home appliances, navigates shops, and spirals into comedic distress. The setup is absurd but never lazy. There’s a rhythm here, a tone that knows exactly what it’s doing.
The humor lands because it’s specific. The robot is nervous, self-conscious, overwhelmed, and somehow familiar to us humans. His fear that Astro won’t like the gift gives the film its emotional thread, even while the talking gadgets and over-the-top holiday chaos keep things light. It’s sharp, not slapstick.
Visually, it’s appealing. Despite being self-shot, the production value is strong. The editing is slick, the pacing tight, and the world-building confident. There’s edge here, but it’s balanced with charm. The final moments don’t go for cheap laughs – they offer something sweet and quietly satisfying.
Esteron clearly knows what he’s doing. The filmmaking is precise, the concept weird but never messy. ‘I Forgot To Shop’ is the kind of short that makes you want to see what else this filmmaker can do – because if he can pull this off alone, with a robot in meltdown over a gift, he can probably pull off anything. This is a Christmas-themed short, but one wired differently. An entertaining watch.
