BY THE THROAT (U.K., 2025)
Director David Luke Rees crafts an impressively eerie observation of grief and PTSD in his feature By the Throat. Lizzy (Patricia Allison) is a young woman who survived a knife attack but naturally still has terrifying memories about it. She takes on a live-in caretaker’s job for a couple who has lost a child. This being a horror film, their house is isolated and rural. Husband Alex Cummings (Rupert Young) goes about his business while his wife Amy (Jeany Spark) largely stays isolated in her bedroom, with Lizzy leaving meals at the woman’s door. Eventually, Amy ventures out of her room more and more, bonding with Lizzy, and the family doctor (Matthew Cottle) drops by for regular visits. Viewers catch on early that something is amiss and may suspect that they know where things are headed, but Rees, who cowrote the screenplay with Madelaine Isaac, has some surprises in store. Allison and Spark both captivatingly convey the anguish that their characters are experiencing, with Young and Cottle turning in solid work, as well, along with Janet Kumah as Lizzy’s concerned mother Sandra. By the Throat is a fine slice of independent U.K. fright fare that delivers a startling third act.
CONVEYANCE (Ireland, 2024)
Synopsis: After years of living in sub-par rented accommodation, young couple Brian and Suzanne can’t believe their luck when they finally find their dream home — and at a price that’s almost too good to be true. Elated, they move into their brand new, stunning, sea-facing South Dublin apartment, but they soon discover that this idyllic spot isn’t quite what it seems. When objects start moving of their own accord, Brian begins to suspect Apartment 19 in the Seaview complex is haunted by a malevolent spirit. He even calls in spiritual assistance in the form of a white witch to attempt to “cleanse the space.” Suzanne, however, always the sceptic, barely hides the fact that she thinks he is being ridiculous. With tensions escalating between the couple, and as their living situation becomes borderline dangerous, Suzanne and Brian must face an impossible dilemma. How far will they have to go to keep their dream home?
Although writer/director Gemma Creagh’s short film Conveyance deals with supernatural occurrences and does a fine job in the spookiness department, it also delivers the relationship drama goods. As weird incidents in the new home of couple Brian (Patrick Martins) and Suzanne (Chrissie Cronin) become increasingly disturbing — at least in Brian’s view — a rift grows between the couple. The dialogue between the worried Brian and the skeptical Suzanne rings true for their situation, and the two actors display wonderful chemistry together throughout. Although not a flat-out comedy, Creagh infuses the short with well-timed humor. Although the short works perfectly at its 15-minutes running time, I would be thrilled to see Brian and Suzanne’s living situation expanded into a feature-length film, and to learn more about the moody presence that lurks in their new home.
You can view the trailer here.
By the Throat and Conveyance screened as part of Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Glasgow, which ran from March 6–8, 2025.
