Doodlebug is a fascinating and clever short film from director Christopher Nolan, made just before his feature debut, Following. This black-and-white film follows a disheveled man in a grubby apartment who is desperately obsessed with hunting and killing a strange little bug that scuttles across his floor.
Despite its very short runtime, the film is a masterclass in building tension and atmosphere. It's a clear blueprint for Nolan's later work, with its focus on a disoriented, paranoid protagonist and a central concept that plays with perception and reality. The grainy, low-budget aesthetic adds to the claustrophobic and unsettling mood, and the film builds a constant sense of unease that leads to a clever and unsettling twist that will stick with you.
The film relies on a single performance and a simple, powerful idea. It's a short, surreal journey that serves as a brilliant example of a filmmaker experimenting with themes he would later explore in a much grander way.
Doodlebug is a must-watch for any fan of Christopher Nolan's work. It's an important early piece that shows a director with a clear vision, and it proves that a great idea is all you need to make a powerful film.
