Absence (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Absence is an 8-minute coming-of-age drama about Marcus, a young graduate whose demanding career interrupts his plans to attend his best friend James’ farewell drinks. Forced to race across the city, Marcus must reckon with what his ambitions may be costing him before the night ends.

Absence is a short 2026 drama about the pressure of choosing between professional ambition and personal connection. At its center is Marcus, a hardworking young graduate whose commitment to his career begins to conflict with an important night for his friend James.

Written and directed by Ryan Mathie, the New Zealand film unfolds over one increasingly urgent evening. With a runtime of eight minutes, it focuses on a specific moment of transition: the point when building a future can begin to mean missing the present.

Absence movie details

Story without spoilers

Marcus has already declined a day out with James because of work, but he promises to attend James’ farewell drinks before James leaves for Spain. When Marcus is persuaded to remain at the office late, that promise becomes difficult to keep.

Once he finally leaves, Marcus rushes across the city in hopes of reaching James before the night is over. The journey places his career-driven priorities alongside the friendships and experiences that may be slipping away, giving the film its coming-of-age conflict without revealing how the evening concludes.

What to expect

As a drama with a coming-of-age focus, Absence is built around a familiar but sharply defined dilemma: how much of life can be postponed while someone works toward a desired future? The short runtime suggests a concentrated story centered on one night, one decision, and the growing urgency created by Marcus’ delayed departure from the office.

The premise provides a grounded setting for questions about friendship, ambition and the cost of being unavailable. Rather than presenting a broad career story, the film follows a single attempt to balance professional expectations with a meaningful farewell.

Cast and creative team

Chester Hudson plays Marcus, with Zain Hassan as James. The cast also includes David Ciurlionis as Nick, David Stothers as Ethan, Giselle Ford as James’ Mate, Drew Kennedy as James Friend #1, Gloria Bong as Office Extra #1, Hamzah Patel as Office Extra #2, Aqeel Butt as Office Extra #3 and Rahul D'Souza as Office Extra #4.

Ryan Mathie serves as both director and writer, shaping the film’s story about a young graduate caught between work and friendship.

• Chester Hudson as Marcus
• Zain Hassan as James
• David Ciurlionis as Nick
• David Stothers as Ethan
• Giselle Ford as James' Mate
• Drew Kennedy as James Friend #1
• Gloria Bong as Office Extra #1
• Hamzah Patel as Office Extra #2
• Aqeel Butt as Office Extra #3
• Rahul D'Souza as Office Extra #4

Release and production context

Absence is a 2026 New Zealand production from Auckland University of Technology. It is listed as released on November 12, 2026, and has a runtime of 8 minutes. The film is categorized as Drama and carries a coming-of-age keyword. No spoken language is listed in the supplied information.

Production companies: Auckland University of Technology

Reported production figures:
Budget $835

Movies Dock view

With its short format and tightly focused premise, Absence presents a single evening as a test of Marcus’ priorities. Its central tension comes from the contrast between the future he is trying to build and the relationships that require his attention in the present.

Film data:
TMDB