Space exploration is often glamourised with lens flares and heroic captains, but someone has to mop the floors. Enter the protagonist of Sam Zimmermann’s animated short LUX – a bored, lazy janitor on a vast, empty starship who finds herself in an unenviable position.
The premise is a staple of the “blue-collar sci-fi” subgenre, echoing the isolation of Alien and the drudgery of Red Dwarf. This janitor hates her job, and who can blame her? The corridors are endless, the work is repetitive, and the only company is the hum of the engine. However, the short quickly pivots from a relatable workplace comedy into something far sharper and darker.
In just over four minutes, Zimmermann manages to establish a sense of routine that is abruptly shattered. The janitor unknowingly invites an alien aboard, mistaking the extraterrestrial threat for just another annoyance in her day. The animation style is fluid, fun and expressive, lulling the viewer into a false sense of security before delivering a punchline that is as grim as it is unexpected.
If you are a fan of Olan Rogers’ Final Space, you will recognise the tonal balance here. It sits comfortably in that intersection where bright, cartoonish visuals meet sudden, visceral consequences. It’s a reminder that in space, incompetence can be just as deadly as a xenomorph.
The film features voice work from Natalie Rose and Richard Gorey, with Chris Casillas handling the sound design and mixing – crucial elements for selling the lonely, echoing atmosphere of the ship before the chaos ensues.
You can watch the full animation below.
For those who enjoy the darker side of galactic exploration, you might want to browse the sci-fi collections at Zavvi UK, or if you prefer your space crews to be incompetent but slightly luckier, catch up on Star Trek: Lower Decks via Paramount+.
Ready for more? Teleport to discover another randomly selected short film.
