Sometimes the best films don’t need fancy effects or sprawling stories—they just need a simple idea told really, really well. That’s exactly what The Black Hole, a British short by Olly Williams and Philip Sansom, nails in just under three minutes. It’s a funny, sharp little piece that quietly sneaks up on you and then sticks in your head long after it’s over.
Here’s the setup: an exhausted office worker, stuck in the humdrum of paperwork, discovers a mysterious black circle on a photocopy. But it’s no ordinary smudge—this thing is a legit black hole, letting him reach through solid objects. The first instinct? Use it to snag a few extra cookies from the break room without getting caught. And then, well… things escalate, because let’s be honest—once you’ve got that kind of power, temptation is a tough thing to resist.
What’s brilliant about The Black Hole is how it takes this wild sci-fi twist and turns it into a modern fable about greed and consequence. No words needed, just visual storytelling that’s so tight and clever you can’t help but watch it twice. The pacing is perfect, the acting subtle but spot-on, and the humor hits just right—making you grin, then wince, then grin again.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest discoveries can lead to the biggest messes, and that there’s a very human chaos lurking beneath even the quietest office cubicles. For indie filmmakers, it’s a masterclass in how less can definitely be more: a single setting, one main character, and a fantastic idea are all it takes to craft something unforgettable.
So if you’re looking for a short that’s fun, smart, and packs a punch without any fluff, The Black Hole is a must-watch. Sometimes, the best stories come in the tiniest packages—and this one’s a black hole of brilliance.