Vessel (2012)

A chilling 14-minute horror short from the Duffer Brothers, set aboard a flight stalked by an alien terror.

Vessel - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Vessel
  • Release Year: 2012
  • Directed by: Clark Baker
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi
  • Runtime: 14m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): October 28, 2012 (United States)
  • Production Companies: Baker's Dozen Productions
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Vessel - Plot

Vessel is the story of the passengers of Flight 298, a red-eye on its way from Boston to San Francisco. Midway through the flight the passengers encounter an otherworldly force and are subsequently thrown into a fight for their lives. The story focuses on Danny (an everyday traveler), Emma (a flight attendant), Chloe (an unattended underage passenger) and Jim and Murray (the two pilots).

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Vessel - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Clark Baker

Main Cast

  • Brandon Bales
  • Brandy Maasch
  • Julie Mintz
  • Walter Phelan
  • Taylor Pigeon
  • Alan Pietruszewski
  • Whit Spurgeon

Writers

  • Matt Duffer
  • Ross Duffer

Producers

  • Clark Baker

Vessel - FAQs

Who wrote the short film Vessel?

Vessel was written by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, the duo who would later become famous as the Duffer Brothers, creators of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. This 2012 short film is an early example of their collaborative storytelling in the horror and sci-fi genres.

What is Vessel about?

Vessel follows the passengers of Flight 298, a red-eye from Boston to San Francisco, who encounter a terrifying otherworldly force mid-flight. The story centers on Danny, a traveler; Emma, a flight attendant; Chloe, an unaccompanied minor; and Jim and Murray, the two pilots, as they fight to survive.

Is Vessel connected to Stranger Things?

Vessel shares its writers — Matt and Ross Duffer — with Stranger Things, making it a fascinating early look at the Duffer Brothers' creative voice. While the short film is not set in the Stranger Things universe, its blend of sci-fi dread and grounded human characters clearly foreshadows their later work.

Who directed Vessel (2012)?

Vessel was directed by Clark Baker, who also produced the film under his production company Baker's Dozen Productions. Baker helmed this tightly crafted 14-minute horror short, bringing the Duffer Brothers' script to life with a claustrophobic, tension-filled atmosphere set entirely aboard a commercial aircraft.

Who are the main actors in Vessel?

The cast includes Brandon Bales as Danny, Julie Mintz as flight attendant Emma, Taylor Pigeon as Chloe, Alan Pietruszewski as pilot Jim, Whit Spurgeon as pilot Murray, Walter Phelan as the alien, and Brandy Maasch as an airplane passenger.

How long is the short film Vessel?

Vessel runs for just 14 minutes, making it a compact and intense short film. Despite its brief runtime, it delivers a full narrative arc — introducing its characters, building suspense, and unleashing its otherworldly threat — all within the confined setting of a commercial airplane cabin.

When was Vessel released?

Vessel was released on October 28, 2012, in the United States. The late-October release date gave it a fitting Halloween-season debut, perfectly timed for audiences in the mood for a short, sharp dose of sci-fi horror.

What are similar movies to Vessel?

If you enjoyed Vessel, you might also like Tuck Me In (2014), another tightly wound horror short, or Books of Blood (2020) and Black Box (2020) for longer supernatural horror experiences. For more sci-fi-tinged thrills, Awareness (2023) and 2073 (2024) are worth exploring.

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