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Written and directed by Byron Q., Killing of a Machine is a seven-minute film that opens with a vast, post-apocalyptic shot of a snowy wasteland.
Ben Prendergast plays an unnamed scavenger, slowly and carefully moving across the snow with a gun in hand, seemingly looking for something. And then he finds it – an abandoned android with some of its parts still intact, which means it’s probably worth something. The man is ready to make his journey back with his newfound haul but the machine has other plans. It comes alive. And worse, it won’t shut up, and isn’t prepared to be sold off.
In its short runtime, Killing of a Machine attempts to establish a vast “man versus machine” conflict. Humans and AI don’t mesh well in this sci-fi tale, so the man and the robot are instantly at odds with each other, creating suspense over what’s going to transpire between them. In a last-minute twist, both of them are confronted with a possible antagonistic third party, putting their survival at stake.
While the premise is interesting, and the opening seconds establish an atmospheric and suspenseful setting, the clunky special effects for the android make Killing of a Machine feel unwittingly comedic in parts. The android has a human-like face that looks bizarre and is evidently slapped on through special effects.
Ultimately, this short film looks more like a teaser for a larger sci-fi film than a complete story in itself. So despite its compelling setting and theme, it’s a forgettable affair. But if you love watching short sci-fi films, give it a shot and decide for yourself. After all, it’s only seven minutes long.
Watch ‘Killing of a Machine’ on YouTube.
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