Rose has a terrible illness which means that she can't go out into daylight. References are made throughout to skin conditions, sensitivity to light and more but it's not until the last act that we really find out the truth of what's what. There are clues along the way and it's not really hard to guess what is going on, but that shouldn't take anything away from this small-budget cracker of a 90-minute film.
There's a small cast of three really - Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack) as Rose, Matt Stokoe (Jamestown, Bodyguard, who also wrote the story) as Sam and Olive Gray (Halo) as Amber. Rose and Sam live off the land, so he's outside a lot of the time, growing vegetables, trapping animals to eat and attending to their generator. When he's not doing that, he's inside with Rose, caring deeply for her, their love being hugely evident throughout as they value one another, through great warmth and concern. There are strains though, mostly brought about by her concern that her illness is keeping him from living a normal life - which he refuses to accept or act on.
They keep an ear open all the time for anyone infiltrating their corner of the universe and get shiftily paranoid whenever they hear anything rustling outside, day or night. As the story evolves, we find out a bit more about both of them and witness strange events which seem to fit in once the reveals are all done. Young Amber happens along one dark night, having fled her home, and stumbles into one of the animal traps, breaking her leg. She screams with pain, Sam heads out to see what it is, leaving him and Rose to decide what is to be done with her.
Director Jennifer Sheridan (Extraordinary) has created something of a gem here - she's brought out the best from the three key actors, totally convincing, created a spine-chilling atmosphere via camera angles, lighting and shadow and with no time for incidental music. It's all very eerie and claustrophobic set in the dark winter, snow all around them, which is made the most of with lovely cinematography depicting the seasonal ambiance.
I hadn't researched the film at all, so came in blind - and the experience was better for that as I was able to piece things together and watch wide-eyed as I did! The finale provides a gripping climax to the story. It's moving at times, very dark and engaging. Highly recommended. It's been on Shudder and other streaming services, so check it out!
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