Hallow Road | Film Review

 

After receiving a call late at night, a couple (Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys) race to the scene of an accident to help their daughter (Megan McDonnell).

I’d seen the premise of this film pop up again and again and I’d always registered that it looked interesting, but for whatever reason there were other films to watch. So I’m glad I finally watched it!

I really liked this film. It’s always great when a little 90-minute thriller can surprise you!

The first thing I noted was how good the tension is. It’s created from almost the first moment of the film and it holds onto you for the entire runtime. You’re as stressed as they are the whole way through.

The story is really simple, but it’s told in such an engaging way.

Despite being entirely dialogue, this is a full story with well written three-dimensional characters that we really get to know through their interactions with each other. A situation like this strips the characters of their airs and graces, and we get to know who they really are, which is so interesting.

The performances are incredible. Pike and Rhys are great but the voice performances are also amazing, it really doesn’t feel like you’re just watching two people because the voices on the phone feel like they’re with you too.

In particular, the scene where a fourth person is introduced is absolutely perfect.

It’s so exciting and intense, but it’s also becomes quite scary and creepy. You feel like you’re stuck in the car with the characters and can’t escape.

It’s also the kind of film where you want to jump into the screen to see if you can solve it yourself. You are truly in the situation with them, you’re along for the ride.

The ending took a turn where things become a bit more abstract, and it took me a little while to figure out if I liked this or not. I think I personally would have liked more of a concrete ending but I also feel like the filmmakers accomplished exactly what they were trying to do. And I do appreciate how the ending left things – sometimes it’s necessary for things to be less cut and dry.

Overall, this was a really great short thriller, I’d definitely recommend it!

7.5/10