The Smog Poster

The Smog 2022

10 min📅 2022-09-08

In *The Smog* (2022), director Stephen Parkhurst crafts a tense, atmospheric short film that blends science-fiction dread with classic body horror.

Director: Stephen Parkhurst

Cast

Daniel Burns
Cheech Manohar
Cheech Manohar
Paige Lindsay Betts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Smog (2022) about?

*The Smog* follows Curtis, who returns home after a jog only to find his partner, Ritesh, alarmed by his sudden coughing and erratic behavior. What begins as a mundane moment spirals into a nightmare as Curtis's transformation hints at something far more sinister lurking in the air. The film blends psychological tension with science-fiction horror, leaving viewers to wonder what's really happening.

Who directed The Smog?

Stephen Parkhurst directed *The Smog*, a short film that showcases his knack for building suspense in limited runtime.

Who stars in The Smog?

The main cast of *The Smog* includes Daniel Burns as Curtis, Cheech Manohar as Ritesh, and Paige Lindsay Betts in a supporting role.

Is The Smog (2022) worth watching?

*The Smog* is a tight, atmospheric short that packs a punch in just ten minutes. Its blend of sci-fi horror and psychological tension makes it compelling for genre fans, though its brevity might leave some wanting more. If you enjoy cerebral thrillers or quick, chilling experiences, it's worth a watch—especially if you're a fan of *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* or *The Fog*.

How long is The Smog?

*The Smog* has a runtime of 10 minutes.

About The Smog (2022) — A Sci-Fi Horror Short That Chokes the Senses

In *The Smog* (2022), director Stephen Parkhurst crafts a tense, atmospheric short film that blends science-fiction dread with classic body horror. The story follows Curtis, who returns home after a routine morning run only to find his partner Ritesh unsettled by his sudden, unexplained coughing fits and odd behavior. As the tension escalates, *The Smog* unfolds like a modern take on *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* and John Carpenter's *The Fog*, weaving themes of isolation, paranoia, and the unseen forces that might be altering human nature. The film's eerie, confined setting amplifies the claustrophobic horror, making every glance and every breath feel loaded with dread.

With only ten minutes of runtime, Parkhurst maximizes suspense, leaving audiences questioning what's real—and what's infiltrating Curtis's mind. The short's tight focus on character dynamics and its unsettling atmosphere make it a standout in the sci-fi horror genre, proving big scares don't always need a feature-length runtime. Whether you're a fan of cerebral thrillers or visceral horror, *The Smog* delivers a chilling micro-experience that lingers long after the credits roll.