A Story Told in Silence and Shadows

Read Time:5 Minute, 47 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Contact Hours
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Genre: Drama, Short
Year Released: 2024, 2025
Runtime: 25m
Director(s): Harry Richards
Writer(s): Rufus Love
Cast: Kris Hitchen, George Osborne, Ashleigh-Mae Schoburgh-Crooks, Vanessa Bailey, Riaz Syed, Oliver Manley, Jass Beki, Grace Gallagher, Haydn Watts, Kyle Jennings, Kiara Nicole Pillai
Where To Watch: currently on the festival circuit, TBA

CONTENT WARNING: This film explores themes of grief, loss, and mental health, centering on the impact of suicide within a school setting. It handles these topics with sensitivity and care, aiming to spark meaningful conversations rather than exploit tragedy. While not graphic, the subject matter may be intense for some viewers. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider reaching out to a mental health professional or support organization.

RAVING REVIEW: Sometimes, the most profound impact comes from the quiet moments that settle in slowly and linger after the screen fades to black. This film embraces that philosophy, delivering an experience that doesn’t demand attention but earns it. Through a restrained yet charged story, it explores the weight of grief, the disconnect in human relationships, and the quiet battles fought behind closed doors. The film shifts perspective to someone who observes tragedy rather than directly experiences it—an approach that makes for a fresh and deeply affecting take on an often-explored subject.

At its heart, the story follows a university caretaker, a man accustomed to being unnoticed, until he stumbles upon a tragic event that forces him to reevaluate what he sees and how he interacts with the people around him. His journey isn’t just about what’s in front of him but about the unresolved spaces in his life—particularly in his relationship with his son. By shifting the focus away from the immediate aftermath and instead examining the emotional toll on an outsider, the film highlights how grief reverberates beyond those directly impacted, touching even the most unexpected individuals.

The message is remarkably restrained, avoiding the pitfalls of melodrama and instead relying on silence, subtlety, and a specific atmosphere to carry its emotion. There’s no need for heavy exposition or sweeping monologues; the film trusts its audience to engage with the quiet, find meaning in the unspoken, and sit with the discomfort of what lingers beneath the surface. This approach creates an authenticity that resonates, making the themes of isolation and emotional distance all the more impactful.

Performance-wise, the film is anchored by a lead who doesn’t rely on grand gestures to communicate his struggle. Opposite him, his son reflects the film’s broader themes, embodying the kind of silent suffering that so often goes unnoticed. Their strained interactions feel painfully real, a testament to the film’s commitment to presenting these dynamics with honesty rather than exaggeration.

The direction takes a careful, deliberate approach to storytelling, allowing the visuals to do much of the heavy lifting. The university setting is perfect for the film, with long, empty corridors, locked doors, and dimly lit rooms all reinforcing the overarching themes of isolation and disconnection. The muted color palette subtly mirrors the weight of the subject matter. Every shot feels purposeful, building an atmosphere that quietly but effectively immerses the viewer in the lead’s experience.

The film carries an urgent and universal message. It highlights the ease with which people slip through the cracks—not just in the most extreme sense but also in the gradual ways relationships fracture over time. Small, seemingly insignificant choices—whether to engage or look away—can shape someone’s life. While the film doesn’t offer easy answers, it sparks a necessary conversation about the importance of presence, checking in, and recognizing that even those who seem fine may be struggling in silence.

A notable strength is its ability to handle such a heavy subject matter, ensuring its depiction is responsible rather than exploitative. Working with mental health organizations, the filmmakers demonstrate a commitment to telling a story and contributing to a larger dialogue. This level of thoughtfulness elevates the film beyond its narrative—it becomes a tool for awareness, a starting point for difficult but necessary discussions.

What makes this film stand out is its confidence in restraint. It doesn’t rely on spectacle, over-explanation, or exaggerated emotion to drive its impact. Instead, it trusts its story, performances, and atmosphere to do the work—and the result is quietly powerful. It’s the kind of film that lingers, sparks conversation, and reminds us how much can be said, even in silence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out to one of the following resources:

Australia: Call 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support from Lifeline Australia.
Brazil: Call 188 for 24/7 emotional support from Centro de Valorização da Vida (CVV).
Canada: Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (4 p.m. to midnight ET) for 24/7 support from Talk Suicide Canada.
India: Call 1860 266 2345 for mental health support from the Vandrevala Foundation Helpline.
Japan: Call 03-5774-0992 for free, confidential English-language support from TELL Lifeline.
Mexico: Call 800 472 7835 for 24/7 crisis intervention from SAPTEL.
New Zealand: Call 0800 543 354 for free 24-hour counseling from Lifeline Aotearoa.
South Africa: Call 0800 567 567 for support from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
United Kingdom and Ireland: Call 116 123 for free 24/7 support from Samaritans.
United States: Call 988 for 24/7 confidential support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

For a more comprehensive list of international suicide crisis lines, visit reliable resources such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention or Befrienders Worldwide.

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[photo courtesy of BLEND FILMS, HEADRUSH FILMS]

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