Sci-Fi Short Film "Control" | DUST | Throwback Thursday

After the death of her companion, a scientist is trapped by herself on an outpost near Jupiter begins to imagine, or realize, that she is not alone after all.
"Control" written and directed by Carroll Brown
More About "Control":
Mission Specialist Elizabeth Henstridge thought she knew the risks when she was selected as part of a two-person crew on an exploratory mission to Jupiter's moon Callisto. What she didn't expect, what nobody expected, was that her companion would die, leaving her alone 600 million miles from home for almost three months until the relief crew would arrive. Grief, isolation...is that all it is when she is suddenly awoken by a knock on the station door? And Mission "Control" back home isn't helping, not when they are complaining about how she handled the body of her companion, and definitely not when they start responding in real time despite the two-hour signal delay between Jupiter and Earth. When "Control" reveals that it may not be who she thinks it is, Elizabeth begins to question her sanity, and her safety.
A message from the filmmaker:
The core idea for Control came from a story I had read about a woman scientist at an Antarctica station that had to perform a biopsy on herself after falling ill in the middle of the Antarctic winter when no help could be flown in. I tried to imagine the fear, the sense of isolation, the panic. I wanted to ramp all of that up to an exponential degree, and decided to set the events on an outpost so remote that even just talking to home was a delayed experience; these are the harsh realities of space and physics. Playing with the idea, I had the idle thought "what if suddenly they responded in real time?" and I was off to the races.
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[@ptonpc]

A rare example of being able to tell a self contained story without relying on the blurb to set it up. A short story very well told with excellent acting.

[@samuelpinson6721]

I like the profile pic

[@ourshelties7649]

No airlock between that door and the outside? Then how did she take the body outside? Depressurizing the entire inside doesn't sound logical.

[@bobalicious2696]

Well, she was in a spacesuit...

[@doreendaykin6693]

Excellent short film. Gratitude for sharing. Actor was brilliant!

[@notyourbusiness7391]

As a rule of thumb, valid on old Earth too: "If everything is going to sheet very very fast, then it's true, it's not a perception error." (Like a sudden floor shift. It could be the beginning of an earthquake or your floor is giving way and you will fall together with it, for example.) Look for an explanation and think. Think fast enough and you might still survive. Stupor kills, panic kills, just think. She noticed pretty late Control is now in real time... Very late. And even then, she stood there naked waiting to see if she gets F-ed or not, instead of at least suiting up. Sorry for her.

[@Davidautofull]

that is an excellent reply, but i believe she is alone.

[@janinejohnstone468]

Yes, @@Davidautofull . I also believe that the surviving astronaut is suffering visual, tactile and auditory hallucinations. There were likely no genuine communications - possibly excepting that last one, after the lights went out.

[@ddBenny]

the thing with psychosis is that you are beyond the point where you can think straight

[@highstrangeness1824]

It doesn't matter if she's alone or not, she's either hearing a voice of guilt or perhaps an alien to her but either way, above comment is brilliant. Very few ppl pay attention to detail anymore. Even youtubers who do reviews seem to miss subtleties and underlying themes. It is truly distressing to see polite, intelligent common discourse balanced by logical critical thinking become a thing of the past. Only theologians and some shirt stories seem to offer some insight into the recent past of such interactions.

[@MrSpock002]

Good actor in the lead!!

[@osmia]

+

[@Randytherumbler]

Actress. Not actor. 👽👾🌚🌝🌞

[@PLAjcmdaddy]

I always thought the original vid was underrated, glad it’s a throwback.

[@edgarquintana1306]

Fan of all Dust short films but the damn cliffhangers leave me in perpetual wonder and unresolved climax discomfort on what happens next in most shorts. I still watch them regardless because they're great quality.

[@Chuck_vs._The_Comment_Section]

This really is the epitome of a low-budget production.

[@CIRCLEDARK]

Rolling office desk chairs in a space vehicle / station is never going to be a thing, even if Staples still exists that far into the future.

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

Why not. They work well on Earth, no reason to just get rid of them because it's the future.

[@sunnyday237]

This is intense 😬

[@Superkuh2]

The most unrealistic aspect of this video is the inside of the spacecraft having so much empty floor and wall space.

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

I thought so at first, but then i realized it must be to have enough breathable air in case of a problem. All the walls needed to build that room wouldn't have taken that much space on the vehicle bringing them.

[@DrachenGothik666]

She's not in a spacecraft. It's a installation on the surface of a moon. A spacecraft _travels_ places. A space-station on a moon is well... stationary.

[@Superkuh2]

@DrachenMeister666 An installation on the surface of a Jovian moon that is a spacecraft that traveled to land there through space, yes.

[@grosnain]

the dead character is also unrealistic. how much skinny he was, that is IMPOSSIBLE for such unhealthy person to be send on space mission.

[@hilaryc3203]

@@grosnain LOL Not all thin people are unhealthy. There are people who can eat and eat, and not gain a pound. I have a brother like that; in order to gain weight he had to start drinking a bottle of Stout (a type of ale) every day by the time he was 15. After 7 or 8 months of that he had gained 11 pounds; woo hoo. LOL

[@robliptak93]

This clip brought back a memory. I was chatting with the recently retired “Head of Psychology” from a state university (decades ago) and his comment about Psychology. “Psychology is to science that golf is to sport.”

[@RullXov]

When I was an automated sprinkler system troubleshooter for residential, and commercial properties. I found that most of the members on private golf courses were rich people, with no class or taste.

[@MultiMarat]

Super tenso... Ótima atuação. Uma prova de que dá pra fazer muito com pouco. Parabéns!

[@VDH1953]

Control: "That's it! No more girls in space."

[@AppNasty]

WOW! THAT ENDING! I had to rewatch it 3 times.

[@theAmazingblumpkin]

This actor should be looked at for a lot more parts. She is very talented.

[@Randytherumbler]

ACTRESS!! Get it right!

[@theAmazingblumpkin]

@@Randytherumbler Easy, I'm an old man.

[@rossellabor]

She's brilliant!

[@sbaker3426]

@@Randytherumblerthe word “actor” can be used for both male and female. It has been part of the lexicon for years now.

[@Irish_Pirate]

The entire time she was there she had the same perfect hair and clothing, that looked like it hadn't even been worn more than the few hours it took to film this. I would have made her looked more disheveled, and the room looked more lived in as the time passed. Everything is spotless. Not even used food containers. Show the passing of time with how much the place gets used. Look at the interior of the ISS for an idea on how to do this.

[@IPONJ]

Creepy good fun. The build up was great.

[@drgeoffangel5422]

That was an excellent lesson in how to write a tight script, and show that less is more! excellent work!

[@vJackaRoo]

A tight script??? I did a 15 second skip through most of the video. I watched maybe 5 minutes and didn’t miss a thing.

[@bobalicious2696]

C. Thomas Howell as Control was awesome. Big fan of his. Also, there isn't/won't be any moon base that doesn't have an airlock. But other than that, it was pretty riveting presentation.

[@Dave-mm5ge]

two months lol. I've been isolated and alone for over 16 years with debilitating anxiety that keeps me home, mostly in my room. two months would be a cake walk

[@JohnPaul-wn6xh]

So what do you do for a living then?

[@thebigdawgj]

Agreed.

[@Retirement_Life]

Great video!

[@paulknightsmokey73]

I didn't know Primark did space station's...., 🤜🇬🇧😁🤟

[@osmia]

Thanks for having CC enabled

[@bobberndt9744]

Well appreciated. I'd like to see more.

[@Yunklob]

Актриса очень хорошо сыграла роль. Молодец.

[@grumpyoldretiredcop8382]

Who builds a station designed in vacuum that doesn't have an airlock? Otherwise nicely done psychodrama in an SF setting.

[@cr0yd]

That was awesome.

[@gudetamalps5262]

Looks like control fumbled the ball with her psych eval 😂😂😂

[@paulnolin862]

lol

[@notyourbusiness7391]

Why? Would you be better in her place?

[@anwarvanommeren8407]

​@@notyourbusiness7391 Hell yeah. I consider myself grounded enough to not lose my shit over "the dead guy banging on the front door"

[@tonyosullivan6137]

maybe that was her psych evaluation?

[@notyourbusiness7391]

@@anwarvanommeren8407 I'm 100% sure it's not the dead guy. The really cold body is still Where she left it. It's something else entirely, pretending to be either Control, either her dead budy, next probably a wet kitten forgotten in the cold. But it is neither.

[@okancanarslan3730]

thrilling film

[@ladyaj7784]

C Thomas Howell as Control. Squeeeee!

[@jasonsizemore8374]

Ground control, major tom has left the building here. Im all alone...i know you only have so much budget to work with, but it being a moon base you would expect a lot more scientific, or realistic data equipment than 2 flat screens and a keyboard on desks ordered from ikea. Does ikea deliver to the moon yet? Eventually they will when ikea merges with elon and space X. But for the set budget, this is not that bad of a short scifi...

[@Davidautofull]

thats a Jupiter moon. double flat rate plus time allowance and fuel.

[@troywhite6039]

ikea, scifi budget, lol

[@samanthatollstam6302]

Wtf? Someone can't spend 2 n a half months alone? Like... wtf is wrong with her?

[@drgeoffangel5422]

I would not to like 2 months alone on earth somewhere, but to be 600 million miles away alone, is another thing to twist your brain up!

[@daddystu7046]

Sounds peaceful. I'd love it. Sign me up.

[@TheWanderingFinnegan]

​@@drgeoffangel5422 You're a doctor? A very needy doctor. Sounds creepy. Scary.

[@ChaoticAphrodite]

Fourteen days in solitary confinement is enough to be considered torture.

[@troywhite6039]

It is when someone else locks you up, but if you chose it, it's a different story. Also, with the internet there are plenty of distractions.

[@fvader6666]

Very good!!

[@saleendriver]

All I kept thinking is "somebody needs a Snickers Bar and a hug". And that "Control" needs to update their psych weeding-out protocols. And maybe make the station a little less spartan, to distract the mind. Boy every time I watch something from Dust, the future seems so damn depressing........

[@Sarah_H]

Psych evaluations on earth would be pretty useless as indicators for a situation like the scenario presented in the film. Isolation in space is different

[@troywhite6039]

This is why an ai system assistant companion is important to develope for one. And a robot or two to interact with would be helpful. Yeah, Dust does seem to show mostly dark, bleak futures. I figure it's to give us forethought to develope ways to start planning how to fix it now before it comes to such distopianism.

[@jc2367]

Anyone remember the name of the DUST short about a guy sitting at his computer who is chatting with customer service for a product he received. He goes on to lie about the product so that he gets a full refund???

[@katiobrien7854]

Nice one!

[@Babaquice]

great job man s2

[@stratoslaspas9069]

Jupiter is 43 light minutes away from earth, so how does it take two hours to say hello? Unless she means exchanging hellos!

[@hughgray4199]

Dust excels Totally Far Out...!

[@conway602]

Amazing 👏

[@FelixAtagong]

The Tell-Tale Heart remake?

[@GummyBearWA]

They send just two people to a Jovian moon? This also feels like a similar story from Night Gallery or Twilight Zone.

[@michaelpistey4001]

well worth watching

[@b.j.hinote4301]

Pretty good. Had me going.

[@loocid123]

With all due respect, I don't think Elizabeth would have made it through basic training.

[@psychiatry-is-eugenics]

Psychiatry made this country what it is today

[@yuriifilonenko2783]

Why do I feel like I've seen or read this story before? Exactly the same...

[@Davidautofull]

outer limits? twlight zone? one step beyond?

[@troywhite6039]

yep, does seem familur

[@josephsorrendino4920]

Seems to me that they would have external cameras. Just putting that out there 😁

[@troywhite6039]

She did show camera screens, she saw on them where his body was where she put it. Apparently there where either none to show the door from the other side or it showed nothing on the camera footage at the door.

[@krisztiankoblos1948]

this one on calisto ?

[@pontram]

Her new neighbors on titan come by to remain her not to let her waste lying around, but to put it in a bin.

[@troywhite6039]

knock, knock avon calling. knock, knock, where your HOA representatives and we have a few suggestions(complaints). knock, knock, would you be interested in a subscription? knock, knock, We would like to introduce you to our Lord and savior.

[@sniper441]

That door makes no sense whatsoever

[@Davidautofull]

what about the size of that room?

[@jornspirit]

...sorry - I don't get the end... is it Mark? Did she get crazy? And yes: the missing airlock doesn't make sense...

[@henrywhite2984]

At one point, the voice tells her "open the airlock". Is there an airlock or isn't there? If not, (a) how did she get Mark outside without losing too much air; and (b) what idiot built this station?

[@notyourbusiness7391]

I believe it is an airlock. Her remark that she dies if she opens the internal airlock door is based on the fact the thing that beats on the inner door has somehow gotten past the outer door that he probably did not cycle trough as it should have. Therefore the outer door is probably compromised in shreds. It's reasoning, not just previous knowledge.

[@troywhite6039]

The large station room may give the illusion the door/airlock is straight to the outside but of course that would be a failed assumption. Maybe the tiny home movement is to get more of the next generation ready for more compact space living.

[@fyora]

Please give us subtitles.... automatically generated, is for all language

[@Crazea]

So the monster in her head killed her?

[@troywhite6039]

It's what kills most if us. Second too the monsters in other peoples heads.

[@pavankumarpanndu]

😮😮😮❤❤

[@dennisgabriel9641]

👍👍

[@trabelo2023]

É uma pena, antes nós tínhamos legendas em português do Brasil, hoje apenas legendas em inglês. Eu até tento entender, porém muitos diálogos se perdem 😢😢😢😢

[@Jerbies_Kimmers]

Holy doodle😐

[@therenaissanceman8392]

There is a big problem with sci-fi these days. Most of it is negative and horrifying, what kind of message are you inspiring? Is there any sort of inspiring message about the bold future of humanity or is it all gonna be horror and tragedy?

[@humanity9158]

Exactly... Why isn't it positive... always scary especially about the unknown universe.

[@michaelbonner5604]

Elizabeth!!!!! I coming to Join you honey

[@MrAgmoore]

LOL

[@troywhite6039]

Here's Johnny! 😁

[@user-lu1yo9qf9k]

The problem I have most with most Sci Fi shows including Twilight Zone, is the space travelers are shown as normal, everyday people. In reality, male and female astronauts are physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychological superior to normal people. John Glen and Chuck Yeager were incredible human beings, who would have survived the experience in the outpost. Of course, then you would have a tedious movie that few would watch.. Also, as I watch the relentless advancement of AI, why not just have robots do future traveling? And then as advancements continued, why wouldn't Star Trek just have androids like Data running the Enterprise?

[@troywhite6039]

This is why people believe the alien greys are androids h.

[@alexanderblack6201]

Maybe just me Alex with Alien came to knock your door😂😊 you know "Alien" movie😊 I say we'll give you a hug😊 Beware don't go in Alien's hive! 😊 or be hostage fora baby alien.😊

[@grosnain]

heeeeem... ok... and ?

[@TheNinjaMarmot]

Doesn't make sense. An astronaut dying of sickness in space? What did he dies of? A Hernia? The base doesn't have an airlock?!?!?!? C Thomas Howell is the controller!

[@Davidautofull]

peanut allergy.

[@wsorrjr]

He could die from a number of things; an aneurism for just one. However, it is silly that there’s no airlock let alone no way to see or monitor what’s outside said non-existent airlock.

[@user-kd1uu3dx3z]

Beautiful actress, but too many negative comments and spoilers. I’m out.

[@CoalCreekCroft]

Well done. But for me the "Two months and eleven days" by oneself is laughable. Opportunity arose so I moved out by myself to a very remote 1883 farm in Powder River County, Montana. Nearest rancher may drop by if there's a cattle issue but unless I go into town, that's it for human interaction for almost 2 years now. I've got a pack rat as a good friend and lots of pheasant, Angus and wild turkey buddies. I iz fyne ... just sing louder, cut off any dance numbers if any wranglers ride by and avoid calling the ranger district for those random Bigfoot sightings. wassa problem-o? (Beyond not having an atmosphere outside? ... I suppose that could contribute).

[@troywhite6039]

Your situation is a far cry from hers. At least you don't have to wait two months before seeing another living thing, you could chose to goto town, she can't.

[@CoalCreekCroft]

@@troywhite6039 I guess I was too subtle in admitting that at least I have a livable ATMOSPHERE! And holy hell, the world is loud and I'm neck deep just by being on KZbin. She wouldn't even have those interactions. First TMI coffee of day so s'cuse. This was a triggering element. Deal here is technically just renting a dang place to live but just happens to be an old farm that was killing the owners to drive 3 hours just to get here to mow the lawns. The isolation factor was a big one in both allowing me to try and/or if I wouldn't crack like some in the past. But in reality, shrug. I've always lived alone anyway. Oh, I miss my friends, esp my lady friend/daughter that I saw almost daily. But this winter was a merciful clear one (unlike the cabin fever hammering of the last) so I've been able to go out and work, hike or JUST GET OUT almost daily ... without Arctic gear. My God, did that help my moods; all the diff in the world vs being trapped within the same walls. Final woe to the people I do see, maybe every 5 days at most, in town where I have to remind myself "How's it going?" is merely polite and not a request for a manifesto report. Also have a VERY COOL cattle ranch op down the way and there's usually wranglers to be seen as well as them riding up to check on me if they haven't seen my car lately. Curse my transcriptionist past! Point taken. Cheers.

[@yosemitedan7457]

Guy gets stranded on Mars, decides to science this out and survives months with needing to start pretty much from scratch. Girl stranded in a station fully stocked for 2, can't make it to the first commercial break. But, girl bosses FTW!!!

[@troywhite6039]

lol

[@dillcifer]

A suspended Hitchcock-style ending can be great if done well. If not, it just feels cheap and lazy.

[@immanutt4442]

* * * * *

[@RMR1]

"Control" has a taut, compelling plot but it's wasted on clumsy writing, a pretty big plot hole and a perfectly fine, but uninspired performance by lead. The dialogue at several points sounds contrived and stilted -- perhaps even unfinished in spots. As if the writer had more breadth to add but ran out of time. The same goes for the arc of the main character. She does not feel genuine. It's not the actress coming up short here but the writing. That character would not be an astronaut because her psych profile alone would have scuttled any hopes of her going into space before. Astronauts do not get unhinged and weepy, even in the most extreme and risky environments. I'm not saying it could never happen -- especially if some alien goo jumped out at me -- but it wouldn't look like this. The Space Odyssey comparisons are obvious, but not rammed down our throats -- the director pays homage without announcing it and the film is better for it. And honestly, despite it borrowing from a few classics, the story comes across as fresh and original. It could be something truly great with a bit of work. 2.8/5

[@sirequinox4874]

Interesting premise, lame ending.

[@Agnus78]

3/5. Acting was quite good but the script wasn't particulary good. Cheap scenography.

[@DaleWheeler]

Doom and Gloom.... Go away! 👎👎

[@peterlongprong7521]

horrible.... just horrible writing.

[@FMFvideos]

Its justin bibar!

[@TheoneandonlyJobis]

is that young Justine beiber

[@durasaxon5131]

Run away SYSTEMS Array. C.S.& L.P.D. is malfunctioning. She should try shutting down audio input and only accept written display info. If that does not function and written display system is compromised / malfunctioning? Use Morse code transmission to 'Control' as first bypass. Always do a Systems Diagnostic/ Analysis and Reset. _____ God Speed John Glenn. _____

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

Her going out and removing her helmet makes no sense.

[@DrachenGothik666]

That scene was her coming _inside_ the station after leaving her partner outside after he'd died to prevent him rotting inside the station.

[@BUY_YOUTUB_VIEWS.986]

New fan right here