Hallow Road (2025) - 6/10

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.

6/10