Ralph is a diligent, efficient employee at his office. A hard worker, he finds himself stuck in an endless cycle of tasks and deadlines, and the idea of going home for the day begins to recede into the distance.

But he has a time-sensitive secret that makes overtime a tough proposition for Ralph. And when it comes out, all hell breaks loose for Ralph, redefining what it means to have a bad day at the office.

Stylishly shot and narratively tight, this comic horror short, directed by Craig D. Foster, has plenty of visual aplomb, wit and bite to keep viewers engaged. The pace of the film is nimble, quick and sure-footed, complete with flashes of humor and romance that add dimension.

Like many great horror films, the craftsmanship of the film is excellent: the camera is always where it needs to be to create the most dramatic impact, the performances are perfectly calibrated and the editing keeps everything humming along, creating a compelling and even gripping experience.

But ultimately, this short film is highly relatable, taking a situation that many workers are familiar with and injecting it with great fun, enjoyment and maybe even a little wish fulfillment. With aplomb and panache, “Overtime” is an energetic, impeccably crafted romp through how work never seems to end, how we sometimes want to throttle our co-workers — and how our needs bump up against the dictates of the office, to superbly comic effect.



