Babak Anvari’s Hallow Road begins as an emotionally charged family drama, set almost entirely during a tense car ride. The film follows Maddie (Rosamund Pike) and Frank (Matthew Rhys), two parents racing to reach the scene of a car accident involving their daughter, Alice (voiced by Megan McDonnell), who has called them in the middle of the night to reveal that she has struck a young girl on an isolated forest trail. The couple’s primary goal is to keep Alice calm while they try to guide her through the aftermath of the accident, all while racing against time.
The premise seems straightforward, but the movie’s transformation is anything but. What starts as a minimalist, almost procedural thriller takes an abrupt turn into genre territory, leaving viewers on a rollercoaster of surprises, twists, and increasingly surreal moments. Anvari’s ability to pull off such a shift without losing control of the narrative is a remarkable feat of filmmaking, creating a film that is both unpredictable and oddly captivating.
From the start, the film’s tone is set by the powerful performances of Pike and Rhys, who expertly balance the raw emotions of heartbreak and frustration. Pike’s portrayal of Maddie, a weary and emotionally distant paramedic, and Rhys’s role as Frank, the problem-solving husband, anchor the narrative and bring authenticity to their characters’ dilemma. The couple’s strained relationship is brought to the forefront, adding a layer of emotional depth as they desperately work to help their daughter, whose actions have sent the family into crisis mode.
The tension is heightened by Anvari’s direction and the decision to limit the action largely to the interior of the car, where the majority of the film’s drama unfolds. This choice creates a claustrophobic, high-stakes atmosphere that mirrors the emotional weight the characters are carrying. The film’s visual shift is striking: early scenes are shot in warm, grainy 16mm film, evoking the feel of a domestic drama, before the transition to a colder, more clinical digital style once the couple enters the car. This stylistic change effectively isolates the characters in their own world, where they can only communicate with their daughter and each other, further heightening the sense of urgency.
As the journey to Alice’s location unfolds, much of the film is driven by phone calls, which provide key insights into Alice’s state of mind and the dire circumstances she’s facing. The real-time progression of their drive evokes comparisons to Steven Knight’s Locke, but Anvari has more in store. Subtle hints throughout the film set the stage for a shift that takes the plot in a shocking and unanticipated direction. The film’s sudden pivot into genre territory—unexpected and thrilling—adds a dark, fantastical layer to the narrative, where it blends elements of family drama with surreal horror.
While the plot may take surprising and bizarre turns, Hallow Road never loses focus on the emotional core of the family’s story. Anvari, along with cinematographer Kit Fraser and editor Laura Jennings, skillfully guides the film through its transformation. As the family’s relationships are tested by secrets and mounting tension, the film explores how far Maddie and Frank are willing to go to protect Alice when it becomes clear she may not be the only one involved in the accident.
If there’s any critique to be made, it’s that the film’s confined setting—primarily inside the car—limits its ability to fully explore its more imaginative, fantastical elements. However, the restraint shown in these early stages only serves to make the film’s later developments more shocking and impactful. The way Hallow Road evolves, morphing from a quiet family drama to a suspenseful thriller, is what makes it such a unique and thrilling ride for viewers.
In the end, Hallow Road is a captivating thriller that expertly plays with genre conventions and builds tension at a relentless pace. Its unexpected twists and turns make it a standout entry in this year’s crop of midnight films, one that takes risks and rewards viewers with an unforgettable, if baffling, experience.
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