Written and directed by Sterling Gates, Just the Janitor takes us into the bruised and battered life of a former henchman who survives day-to-day. But when an old partner shows up with one last job, he’s forced to choose between freedom and doing the right thing.
Five years ago in Albuquerque, Harold Miller (P.J. Sosko) was a henchman whose life crashed when what should have been an easy six-on-one takedown turned into a major a*s-beating. After barely surviving the beatdown, Harold decided to retire from the henchman game. Now living with constant pain, Harold keeps his head down as a school janitor, trying to leave the past behind. At the school where he works, Harold grinds it out day after day, scraping gum from under desks and painting over graffiti while a student, Doyle (Ethan Fletcher Daly), bullies him. His routine is broken when his former henchman buddy, Oliver (James Austin Kerr), appears out of the woodwork, asking Harold for help on a job that will free him from his janitorial obligations once and for all.
Harold Miller (P.J. Sosko) confronts student Violet (Mia Gonzalez) in a tense hallway moment.
“…just one last job and he can live in the lap of luxury.”
Just the Janitor has a lot of things going for it as a short film. First is a truly kick-a*s fight sequence right at the start. Writer/director Sterling Gates really didn’t have to give up such a spectacular sequence, but he did, and thank you.
He sets the stage for Harold. You’ve got to build sympathy for your character, and with a little bit of narration and some visual gags, we get it. Harold’s life is miserable, but at least he’s still alive. Then there’s the proposition. Just one last job and he can live in the lap of luxury. But when does that promise ever work out?
P.J. Sosko carries the film. He does all the heavy lifting, providing the emotional through line. At the same time, Gates nails the tone of the film perfectly, striking a balance between being deadly serious and hinting at levity.
Just the Janitor delivers everything you want in a short film: memorable characters, a sharp hook, and a finale that pays off. Sosko’s performance grounds the story, making Harold’s decision hit harder when it counts. In the end, Gates proves that a tight runtime is all you need to tell a gritty, satisfying story that sticks with you.
"…delivers everything you want in a short film..."
