Through The Night

Shortlisted by the BFI for their Early Development Fund - 2024.

On New Year's Eve, time becomes Riley's enemy as her younger brother, Alex, calls her from a party in another city, threatening to end his life. To save him, she must keep him on the line while navigating a treacherous journey through the night in her car. Throughout, a relentless series of obstacles confronts her, while her unhealed and tumultuous relationship with Alex comes bubbling to the surface.

This film, centered entirely in a car and anchored by the theme of male suicide, is a deeply affecting issue. Its core aim is to delve into the tumultuous emotions and inner turmoil experienced by the characters during what might be the darkest moments of their lives.

Set against the backdrop of night, the film creates a palpable sense of claustrophobia and an enveloping darkness that engulfs the unfolding events in Riley's life. Her relentless pursuit to reach her brother is fraught with obstacles that alter her course, ratcheting up the pressure and intensifying the overwhelming dread she faces.

By placing the story on New Year's Eve, we draw a poignant contrast between the characters enduring their personal hells and the rest of the world celebrating and reveling in the joy of a new beginning. It's a time when families and friends traditionally come together, but in this case, two estranged siblings find themselves desperately connected solely through a telephone line, yearning to reunite against all odds. This stark divergence between their experience and the world's celebratory atmosphere underscores the film's emotional depth and the urgency of their journey.