The World we knew

The World We Knew is the first feature film from Powis Square Pictures, an award-winning production company that has previously worked with Mick Jones (The Clash), Alice Lowe (Prevenge) and Jack Bond (Dali In New York, Pet Shop Boys - It Couldn't Happen Here). It is also Matthew Benjamin Jones and Luke Skinner's first feature film after several shorts (Mirror #1 (2015), Over & Over (2015) and A Painter's Life (2019)). The virtual edition of the British festival FrighFest thus allows us to discover the outstanding debuts of two directors who succeeded with very little means to deliver one of the best films of the official selection.

The story shows us how, after a failed armed robbery, a gang flees to a mysterious hideout. The archetypes are in place. The hard-boiled chef. The old one who got eliminated for one last point. The failed ex-boxer looking for another hit. The nightclub owner with a chip on his shoulder. The young kid with a chip on his shoulder. Tormented by their past misdeeds, mutual distrust and the things that go bump in the night, men have to face the limits of their mental health. But is it their guilt or the ghosts that finally push them to hell? And who or what will survive until morning. In a closed space with actors often noticed in supporting roles, the screenplay by Matthew Benjamin Jones and Kirk Lake successfully mixes black thriller and fantasy film and gives us a real plunge into the hell of tormented souls. One thus finds in the main roles Struan Rodger (Kill List, The Enfield Haunting, Dr Who), Johann Myers (The Wheel of Time, Yardie, Undergods) and Finbar Lynch (Treadstone, Proof) and the former model Alexander Wells.

Shot on location in a real haunted house by Marks Tey, Essex, The World We Knew is more of a psychological thriller than an action movie like too many movies. The rather inspired directors film the story in an original way and thus create a strong psychological bond with the spectators. The actors can thus give real depth to their characters and give real strength to this independent film. We can only underline the excellent work of these two directors who with practically no budget deliver here one of the best British fantasy thrillers of the year.

We also appreciate that the soundtrack of the film was composed by the French band The Limiñanas. The care given to both the sound aspect and the music gives The World We Knew the status of a successful and striking first film that we can only advise you to discover.

The World we knew
Directed by Matthew Benjamin Jones, Luke Skinner
Produced by Andy Orr
Written by Matthew Benjamin Jones, Kirk Lake
Starring Struan Rodger, Johann Myers, Finbar Lynch, Kirk Lake
Music by The Limiñanas
Cinematography: Laurens Scott
Edited by Will Martin
Production companies : Powis Square Pictures
Release date: October 24, 2020 (UK)
Running time: 78 minutes

Viewed on October 23, 2020 (screener press)

Mulder's Mark: