Hallow Road

This film had so much potential yet failed to delivery the major blow to be classed as a wonderful thriller. Yes, it's pretty clear that this is a storyline example of trauma/parenthood, but I think it could have been projected in better light at the end. The film itself wasn't all bad, the acting was good and it was actually quite believable up until quite late on. Half way through this film I had it down for a possible 7/8 but sadly the meaningless/emotion-only ending left it somewhat short of that mark.

For a story that's mostly set in the tight confines of a car, where conversations both in person, over phone, drive the narrative, the themes explored are surprisingly captivating, rich with psychological and supernatural contexts.

It kicks off at a slower pace, adopting a cautious tone, but once we move from "Act 1," there's an evident shift in gear and thereby in urgency, as everything starts to unravel in a way that has the potential to surprise the susceptible audience, given they have not already blindly guessed 'the twist' by then.

The suspense builds to a point where you can practically feel its indomitable presence taking over the storytelling. That said, the short length and a fairly disappointing conclusion might leave a a bitter aftertaste, though ambiguious nature of the ending would most likely be celebrated.

Maddie (Rosamund Pike) and Frank (Matthew Rhys) have had an argument with their daughter Alice (Megan McDonnell). We only see the aftermath as she storms off, takes the car and runs over a young woman... on Hallow Road. It's the middle of the night, in the middle of a forest area and on a panicked call to her parents, we rush to the scene whilst Maddie, a paramedic gives emergency instruction on the phone. The car is where we stay as the tension ramps between Maddie and Frank, apportioning blame. We slowly learn the details that have brought them all to this point and they all realise the severity of the situation, as it all slips out of their control with devastating consequences. It's stark and bleak, sparse and cold. Chilling in fact. How far as a parent would you go to protect your child. Maddie and Frank are about to find out. Despite the tension, the pace is purposely slow. Driving through the night on empty roads, it's all dialogue, in the car, on the phone. As details emerge, plans are made and made untenable. You can build a vivid story with just words and this technique works well, but despite its thrifty runtime, it does wobble. It's worth sticking with though, it's eerie nature just about keeping things on track as the road twists and a solid score and carefully crafted sound design certainly help too.

The hints are there - the movie title, the date it takes place. This could be a well acted campfire story or would also make a good small theater show - but it also makes an enjoyable movie.

Like a good campfire story - you are left wondering, and a little frightened by it.

It's not going to make you scream or jump out of your seat or even cry - it will just keep you tense - just like the parents.

Sure there's a few plot holes but they aren't gaping and dont spoil the fundamental plot. I think there is also room for a sequel with the parents desperate to answer the same questions we still have and a basic premise created within this story.

It's the middle of the night and a married couple (Rosamund Pyke and Matthew Rhys) are woken by a frantic 'phone call from their teenage daughter Alice. Alice has taken her father's car without permission, she has crashed it on a remote woodland road, hitting a young woman in the process. Mum (a paramedic) and Dad drive the 40 something miles to find her. Most of the movie consists of Alice talking on the 'phone to her parents in their vehicle and their drive is in real time, quite an interesting idea though it will not please everyone, no doubt some viewers will find it boring. The good performances and the urgency of the family's plight do help keep the movie together. This is a film that you could follow with your eyes closed for the bulk of the running time. And it also proves that suggested horror can be far more scary than actually seeing it. Hallow Road is a creepy and unnerving journey. However, it is not all good. For a start I found the ending a bit disappointing, I had hoped for more. Also the film is set in England/The UK, the road markings aren't British, the car's Satnav reads in miles but its speedometer is in KM/H (it was filmed in Ireland and the Czech Republic). And it is obvious that the vehicle isn't always moving when it is meant to be (bear in mind most of the plot takes place in the car). I didn't know what to expect from this suspense thriller, it is quite unique and I was fairly happy with it though I wouldn't watch it again.