The film is characterized by its uncomfortable atmosphere and dark humor, often drawing comparisons to the works of Todd Solondz. It examines the boundary between a child's innocence and the disturbing behaviors that can emerge from a lack of parental guidance. Key Elements:
Based on the 2017 short film directed by Nicholas Colia, Alex and the Handyman
is a 2017 short film directed by Nicholas Colia . It follows Alex, a precocious nine-year-old boy living in a mansion, who develops an intense crush on Jared, a moody 25-year-old handyman hired by his mother. Plot Summary alex and the handyman 2017mkv
Alex and the Handyman is not for everyone. The pacing is glacial. The first 45 minutes are almost entirely Alex measuring walls, making tea, and staring out rain-streaked windows. The subplot involving her ex-boyfriend (a single, poorly acted phone call) adds nothing. Furthermore, the final act introduces a surreal, almost Lynchian sequence involving a trapped raccoon and a shattered mirror that feels thematically disconnected from the grounded dread that preceded it.
The film takes a sharp turn in its final act. After Alex lures Jared into a compromising situation, he makes a false accusation that results in Jared’s arrest. This ending has polarized audiences; some view it as a chilling portrait of a "budding psychopath" born from neglect, while others see it as a biting commentary on the power dynamics within a wealthy, fractured household. The film is characterized by its uncomfortable atmosphere
Before looking at technical formats or how to watch it, here is a quick overview of the film's production details: Nicholas Colia Release Date June 2017 (USA) Runtime 14 minutes Genre Dark Comedy / Drama / Coming-of-Age Main Cast Keaton Nigel Cooke, Aaron Luis Profumo, Hogan Gorman Official Anthology Boys on Film 17: Love is the Drug Plot Synopsis & Analytical Breakdown
Twenty minutes later Jorge knocked, carrying a battered tool bag. He was older than Alex expected: salt at his temples, a laugh that came from somewhere under the ribs. He moved through the apartment like he’d been invited into someone else’s life before—respectful, unobtrusive. He inspected the ceiling, the pipes, the dripping sound that filled the room like a second, quieter heart. It follows Alex, a precocious nine-year-old boy living
What follows is not a conventional thriller. There are no jump scares, no hidden cameras, no sudden reveals of a dark past. Instead, the film charts a deeply unsettling power dynamic. The Handyman is unfailingly polite, punctual, and skilled. He fixes the rotting porch, replaces the fuse box, and silently judges. Alex, desperate for human contact but terrified of intimacy, begins to rely on him. The film’s genius is that we never know if the threat is real or entirely in Alex’s head. Is he gaslighting her? Moving her tools? Leaving cryptic notes in the wall cavities? Or is her paranoia simply the echo of past trauma?
The central conflict ignites when his mother hires Jared (Aaron Luis Profumo), a moody, 25-year-old handyman, to do maintenance work around the estate. Starved for attention and boundaries, Alex develops an intense, overwhelming crush on Jared. The child stops at absolutely nothing to command Jared’s attention, resulting in a series of awkward, dark, and highly transactional interactions. Key Cast and Crew
