Review of *Hallow Road*: A Tense Psychological Thriller
Babak Anvari, the British-Iranian filmmaker recognized for his impressive debut with *Under the Shadow* in 2016, returns with *Hallow Road*, a tightly woven narrative that captures a parent’s worst nightmare. Mostly set within the confines of a car, this film chronicles the anxious drive of a couple responding to a desperate call from their college-aged daughter. While the premise hints at a minimalist exercise in tension, the gripping performances of Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys elevate it into a profoundly engaging psychological thriller.
A Taut Narrative
William Gillies’ debut screenplay sets a brisk pace, plunging viewers into an unsettling family dynamic. The film opens with a haunting imagery of a disrupted dinner table and scattered glass, hinting at a recent clash. Maddie (Pike), startled awake by a smoke alarm disturbance, finds her husband, Frank (Rhys), still in slumber. However, a late-night call from their distressed daughter, Alice (Megan McDonnell), propels Frank into alertness.
A Distress Call
Alice, who has abruptly returned home to seek advice from her parents, instigates a volatile conversation that leads her to storm off with Frank’s car. Hours later, she triggers chaos by revealing an accident involving a mysterious young woman who dashed into the road, leaving the parents grappling with the repercussions of their daughter’s reckless choice.
The Psychology of Parenting
As Maddie gathers information from Alice, asserting her authority as an experienced paramedic, tensions rise between the couple. Frank’s frantic attempts to connect with Alice contrast with Maddie’s commanding presence, skillfully illustrating the characters’ complex dynamics. Gillies’ screenplay compellingly questions how far parents are willing to go to protect their children and whether such actions aid or hinder their growth into independence.
Building Tension in a Confined Space
Anvari expertly maintains suspense within the confined setting of the vehicle, aided by the evocative cinematography of Kit Fraser. The characters’ distress is mirrored in the frantic camera movements, reflecting both physical and emotional turmoil. The interplay between Pike and Rhys is charged with escalating energy—shifting from heated disputes to moments of profound fatigue, reflecting the strain on their marriage and the weight of their decisions.
Unexpected Complications
As the journey progresses, another vehicle joins the unfolding drama. A couple offers assistance to Alice, but the woman’s insistence raises the stakes, leading to impulsive choices. Their discussion introduces the ominous concept of Hallow Road, steeped in local folklore, further complicating the narrative with a sense of impending doom.
A Masterclass in Technical Skills
Reverberating with echoes of Steven Knight’s *Locke*, which similarly explores tension within a vehicle, *Hallow Road* demonstrates how effective storytelling can emerge from constrained environments. Furthermore, the atmospheric score by Lorne Balfe and Peter Adams complements the film’s eerie ambiance, weaving elements of psychological thriller and folkloric horror that escalate as the plot thickens. This tension crescendos with a shocking reveal that shifts the narrative’s ominous undertones.
This film not only captivates with its emotional depth but also serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of parent-child relationships within the modern world.