LAST MAN (2022) | Short Film

Thank you to everyone who has watched and commented on our short film "Last Man". I never expected it to actually receive as many views as it has, and all the feedback has been fantastic to read. The majority has been very kind and positive, and I'm happy that all of the hard work has seemed to pay off. We originally shot this in the fall of 2019 as my graduating student film at Toronto Film School. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were unable to finish it in a way that truly satisfied me so outside of a few school festivals I never posted it. In September 2022, I finally decided to go back and fix the issues I had with it and this is the result. I plan on making a behind the scenes video sometime next year where I will go into more detail on the creative process and comparing the different versions that we've had. That being said, there are issues I was unable to fix with what I had. As some have mentioned in the comments, there are some audio issues with the first part of the conversation (from at 3:29 to 4:00ish) . This is due to a technical error which caused us to lose some of the on set audio recording. As a result, the camera audio was used. This audio did not mix well with the rest of the film and, as a result, is much too quiet. As it goes on, the dialogue becomes much more clear. Thank you all again for watching, enjoying, and subscribing!

I like how Death insists on sitting down for a brief chat with the last man alive. It's a beautiful courtesy in a way, and brings closure to them both. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this." There is a profound, and startling weight to that statement. Death had indeed been there from the beginning. "Afraid of living, and afraid of dying. Yeah, that IS a s****y predicament." This was his last job, and it showed - very plainly that Death was also afraid to die. To become meaningless by killing the man. He almost let the guy go. Almost, but as always mankind sets into motion the machination of our failures. Even to the end. Which is probably what set all this into motion to begin with. "It was supposed to be quick, but here you are, and here I am." Beautiful work.

I loved this film, despite any "flaws" it may have. The ending got to me...the fact that Death no longer has a purpose, and humanity is officially a thing of the past. The music fading out, followed by the ambience of a dead world that no one is around to hear gave me chills. Excellent work!

"How long have you been out there?" "Since the beginning."

A great portrayal of our tricky nature and how it will be our undoing. He was so close to seeing another sunrise, and he blew it.

Love how you maintained an aura of mystery right to the bitter end, anticipation is a very strong force within us.

If he's the last man then it must be a woman working the camera.

Time only exists when there's somebody around to observe it.

...and in the end, the grim reaper is doomed to walk the earth alone for all eternity after having reaped the last soul on earth. Death must be bored outta his mind...

Really liked this... a new concept and not just another typical cookie cutter horror film. Great job :) I actually feel a little sad for Death.

Absolutely brilliant. Atmospheric, wonderfully acted and just the right amount of eeriness. Never thought I'd end up feeling sorry for Death, either! Give me this over the usual monster/jumpscare/vacuous-teen-brushing-his-teeth rubbish that some seem to increasingly think constitutes a scary short. More please!

Excellent. Plot, well written. Ending. Definitely a massive upgrade over the large amount of tripe these shorts seem to offer.

Death will kill itself when there is no one else

This is wonderful, man. I really love the concept of Death reaching the finality of its purpose, and therefore dies itself. I hope you're proud of this thing, especially in the pandemic times. Getting a short made, even when you have the resources of a college available to you, is a massive massive massive feat and takes so much work and commitment from everyone involved. But you brought it, your set decorators brought it, your DP and lighting crew CRUSHED it, and I don't know who scouted the locations, but it was properly nostalgic and rustic. Your actors were great. Your version of Death reminded me a little bit of the Motorcycle Dude in 'Raising Arizona' but no face and less of a sense of humor (so props to your wardrobe department too!). :) I hope you're proud of this, and I hope throughout your illustrious and long-lasting film career, you return to this piece and love it for what it is and for who you were when you made it. It's beautiful! :)

The acting in this was quite good. The fear and excitement of the last man seemed so genuine. I also had no idea what was happening or who this mysterious man in black was until right at the moment he lost his temper. Short, but very well written. The sadness and hopelessness was palpable, I feel bad for both characters.

Death: Hmmm. No more humans. I guess I'll get started on the insects now.

No one's job is safe anymore.

Great job Cracked Bulb Crew! Love the world you created in this one!

Death comes for us all! That was awesome!!

Death is like "well... Shit.... Look what you made me do now... Puts on music "