Derelict

This is literally a work of art. The film is a bleak yet beautiful tale of revenge in the underbelly of a UK city. This has strong performances throughout and the tale is told with masterful precision. Genius. The camerawork and use of gritty locations adds to the sense of unease throughout the film. A man is released from prison and the tale is told from the side of the victims family. The story is interwoven with different perspectives and angles. The use if lighting gives the film a neo-noir edge. Pete Bird gives the performance which is equal in measure to the protagonist. If you enjoy a well crafted slow burn then please give this a watch whenever it gets a release. This film needs to be seen.

A gritty rural noir revenge thriller set in a small English country town. We meet Abi, a young woman adrift in life after her much-loved dad's body was discovered tortured and mutilated in an isolated countryside spot. We meet Ewan and Matt, two brothers living on a run-down estate and involved in petty crime. The older brother Ewan dominates and manipulates the more sensitive Matt and the consequences are tragic for everyone involved. Abi's story and that of the brothers are interwoven across time as we discover more about how Abi's dad came to such an awful end. There's another thread to the story - one of the brothers is unexpectedly released from prison and Abi is determined to get revenge. This now gives her bleak life a new desperate focus. Derelict is a many-facetted psychological thriller, often subtle and sometimes unflinchingly brutal. At the end of it all Abi gets some sort of redemption and colour comes back into her life. It's style and storytelling is more art-house than mainstream, and will bear watching a few times to fully savour its richness of character and the pure quality of storytelling, acting, cinematography and the score.

This is a stunning achievement in low-budget filmmaking. Excellent performances from the cast, and story-wise it puts most bigger budget studio movies to shame, by firmly evidencing that story and detail will always triumph over spectacle.

A brilliant effort in many many ways.

It is so clear to see the directors pure passion for cinema, and work, that has gone into this production. I can only imagine the amount of hats Jonathan Zaurin (dir) would have had to wear to pull this off.

He's managed to sell the scale of this story, which I'm certain would have been produced guerrilla-style, so convincingly. Amazing achievement from everyone involved.

Derelict is a raw, unflinching exploration of vengeance, justice, and the devastating consequences of trauma. This gritty thriller delivers a powerful punch with its thought-provoking narrative and intense performances.

The film centers around Abigail, a haunted soul seeking retribution for a horrific injustice. Driven by a relentless pursuit of justice, Abigail embarks on a dangerous journey that forces them to confront their past and the demons that still torment them. The film's narrative is expertly crafted, weaving together elements of suspense, drama, and psychological thriller to create a gripping and emotionally resonant experience.

The performances are nothing short of outstanding. Michael Coombes and Suzanne Fulton deliver a tour-de-force performance, capturing their character's internal turmoil with raw intensity and vulnerability. The rest of the cast also shine, providing strong and nuanced performances that add depth and complexity to the story.

The film's gritty aesthetic complements the dark and disturbing themes. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the bleak and desolate atmosphere with striking visuals. The soundtrack is equally powerful, adding to the film's tense and suspenseful atmosphere.

While Derelict may not be for the faint of heart, it is a must-see for fans of thought-provoking and emotionally impactful films. The film's exploration of vengeance, justice, and the human condition is both powerful and disturbing, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.