By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
The gritty psychological thriller
"Betrayal," directed and written by
Rodger Griffiths (known for the short film "Take the Shot") and co-scripted by
Robert Drummond (TV's "McDonald & Dodds"), emerges as a perplexing and haunting drama set against the brooding, shadowy woodlands of Scotland.
In this chilling environment, we are introduced to three brothers: Henry (Brian Vernel, TV's "Gangs of London" and TV's "Slow Horses"), John (Daniel Portman, TV's "Black Mirror" and "Game of Thrones"), and Vince (Calum Ross, TV's "Wednesday"), the youngest of the bunch.
They embark on what should be a routine deer hunt with their father, played by Paul Higgins (TV's "Slow Horses"). However, this outing is anything but a traditional bonding experience. The brothers harbor a deep-seated resentment toward their abusive father and have devised a plan to murder him during the hunt.
The brothers' plan is both brutal and rudimentary. Instead of pursuing deer, they seize the opportunity to kill their father and hastily bury him in a shallow grave. The burial site is poorly concealed, marked by loose tree limbs and disturbed earth, making the grave disturbingly easy to spot. This amateurish attempt at concealment adds a layer of tension and dark humor, as the viewer can’t help but wonder how these novices expect to evade detection.
Their lack of expertise in murder keeps the audience engaged, as it's evident that their plan is fraught with flaws. The film's slow pacing allows viewers to delve into the brothers' escalating paranoia and fear, which heightens the suspense and dread.
The plot thickens when the brothers discover that they have inadvertently left behind a crucial key their father had on him. Desperate to retrieve it, they return to the gravesite, only to find that the body is missing.
The film cleverly plays with the notion of supernatural elements as the brothers grapple with the terrifying possibility that their father might still be alive or that his vengeful spirit is tormenting them. This unsettling twist plunges the brothers into a state of panic, intensifying their fears and leading to a breakdown in their relationships. Their guilt and paranoia drive them to turn on each other.
Just as the tension reaches its zenith, the father reappears, bloodied and armed, seeking revenge on his treacherous sons.
"Betrayal" attempts to navigate the complexities of human psychology and the fine line between sanity and madness.
While the film excels in creating a nightmarish and atmospheric experience early on, the resolution may leave audiences feeling more betrayed than the characters themselves.
"Betrayal" arrives
Sept. 6 on Video-On-Demand.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"BETRAYAL"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
