Aaron J. Stewart’s short film The Killer follows a veteran suffering from severe PTSD as he isolates himself in a rundown room on a rainy day. The story begins with a close-up of his gun and military memorabilia, symbolizing his daily internal battle. As he loads a single bullet into his gun, he reflects on his haunting memories, from the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers to the devastating moment that claimed their lives and turned him into a survivor filled with guilt.
The narrative delves into his conflicting emotions—he remembers the honor and respect earned during his service, but his thoughts are dominated by the innocent lives lost because of him. Stuck in a loop, the Killer yearns for purpose but is paralyzed by guilt. His thoughts rush with the bloody past he cannot escape. Small moments, like watching fish in a tank, stir thoughts about power and control, mirroring his struggle with his existence and his choices while on tour.
“Stuck in a loop, the Killer yearns for purpose but is paralyzed by guilt.”
As the piece reaches its final moments, his emotional turmoil crescendos. His loneliness and the weight of his battlefield trauma pull him deeper into despair. Our protagonist fights for survival—not in a battlefield sense, but in his determination to go on another day.
Jacob Rodriguez gives a haunting performance as The Killer. His monologue is told in heart-felt agony. Like a rat in the cage, it’s hard not to want to reach out to him and say, “I hear you, and it’s OK.”
"…told in heart-felt agony."
