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.

The film was fantastic in places, and highly original in terms of content, but the whole point of the movie was the worry, the panic, and the racing rush from everyone to get to their destination; and yet the man driving could have pushed his car faster. The trees and streetlights passing by the car windows at 4cm-an-hour ruined the panic. How anyone at all can say 'They rushed to the scene' must have a car made of plasticine. The editor also forgot to put the engine noise in, yet dropped it back in on the gear changes - ?

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.

In the categories "disturbingly realistic" and "true nightmares you really don't want to go through yourself", Hallow Road is a film that scores very high. Director Babak Anvari ("I Came By") delivers a very intense and compelling thriller here, even though the story largely takes place in one enclosed location (a car) and has only two main characters (and also a few voices over the phone).

The concept is simple, but that makes it even more efficient. In the middle of the night, parents Maddie and Franck receive a panicky phone call from their teenage daughter Alice. She caused an accident with her father's car. The car is stuck and damaged, but - much worse - there is another girl lying motionless on the road. The parents jump in the car and stay in touch with Alice, but during the long journey the problems pile up. Is the girl who was hit by a car still alive? Where is the ambulance? Why did Alice drive to such a remote place? Was she sober? Will this incident destroy the rest of her life?

There are 2 main reasons why "Hallow Road" is the most haunting and unforgettable thriller you will see this year (and perhaps also in the coming years). First and foremost because it is - simply - a realistic scenario. The chance this horror will happen to yourself, or someone close to you, is much greater than, say, moving into a haunted house or having to fight werewolves and zombies. You read about hit-and-run accidents almost daily, and behind each of these incidents is a tragic story for both sides. Secondly, because Matthew Rhys and - especially - Rosamund Pike give away such incredibly strong performances. Director Anvari felt that the story couldn't just end like a random news fact, and so there are some weird twists in the script towards the end. Still very absorbing, though. The ending is completely open to interpretation, and that too is the best they could have done. Powerful film, recommended!

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.