‘Hallow Road’ Review: A Confined Car Ride Transforms in Head-Spinning Ways

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As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it like this: “Jump into the heart-pounding journey of ‘Hallow Road’, directed by Babak Anvari. It’s primarily set during a tense car ride where parents are frantically driving to their daughter’s accident site, keeping her on the phone. The plot seems straightforward at first, but hold on tight because this race-against-time tale takes unexpected twists and turns that will leave you spellbound.

scarcely have there been movies that have caused such dramatic shifts in tone while maintaining such precise management of their transitions; the movie “Hallow Road” stands out for its clearly defined divide between the type of film it initially presents and what it eventually transforms into, making it a unique treasure from this year’s midnight movie collection. While some critics might argue that it goes too far to achieve this uniqueness, one could say that it’s akin to Donald Glover’s character from “Community” who once remarked, “There was an episode of ‘Happy Days’ where a guy literally jumped over a shark, and it was the best one.” At times, surpassing expectations can be truly remarkable.

Additionally, having Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys as the main actors in your movie is advantageous because these talented performers skillfully navigate the delicate line between sorrow and rage. They are responsible for conveying an entire narrative that takes place off-screen. Pike portrays Maddie, a troubled paramedic, while Rhys plays her husband Frank, a Welsh middle-aged man who is trying to solve the mystery of their runaway teenage daughter Alice (voiced by Megan McDonnell), following a major argument.

As I navigate through the woods illuminated by flickering car headlights, director Anvari draws me into the heart of this troubled family, offering glimpses of their home – a scene that feels eerily like a crime in progress, with a half-swept broken glass partially hidden under a dustpan. The tense dynamics between Maddie, Frank, and Alice serve as the emotional backbone of this story, making their struggles the focus. In a heart-wrenching twist, Alice makes a desperate call to her parents in the dead of night, confessing that she struck a young girl with her car on a deserted forest path. As Maddie and Frank listen, offering guidance over the phone to help keep the victim alive while piecing together what happened, I find myself irrevocably bound to their story.

The early scenes, taking place mostly outside the couple’s car, are shrouded in a 16mm film grain, making “Hallow Road” resemble a domestic drama with warm tones. But once they shut their car door and start driving towards Alice, the visual style changes drastically. A sleek, frosty digital atmosphere envelops, suggesting that the interior of the vehicle, which we remain in for over an hour, is a separate world isolated from the outside. It’s a realm where characters can share deep, personal thoughts (and even devise urgent, absurd strategies if necessary).

The movie starts off with intense energy as Maddie provides CPR instructions over the phone, while the parents debate about how best to extract their traumatized daughter, Alice, from this predicament. They argue over whether to call the police and how to secure a future that now seems uncertain. Throughout this tense situation, Anvari and cinematographer Kit Fraser carefully position the camera inside the car, capturing every conversation and emotional moment with precision. Even the brightness of cellphone and dashboard lights are subtly intensified for emphasis. The drive to Alice’s location takes around an hour, and much of it is shown in real-time through multiple phone conversations, which might remind viewers of Steven Knight’s taut, confined drama “Locke,” with some similarities. However, Anvari has a surprise up his sleeve, planting subtle, almost unnoticeable clues throughout the film.

As a movie enthusiast, I was taken aback by the swift plunge of “Hallow Road” into genre territory, but it turned out to be a delightful surprise. Directors Anvari and Fraser, along with editor Laura Jennings, expertly manipulated the storyline, causing even the once steady camera to become unhinged. The film’s narrative took unexpected, jaw-dropping turns that were reminiscent of a dark fairy tale, all while keeping the family dynamics at the forefront. From the strained relationships within the family to the pressures and anxieties they faced at home (and in their car), the movie never wavered from its focus. Moreover, it raised intriguing questions about how far Maddie and Frank would go to save Alice from a precarious situation, especially when it was revealed she might not be the only one privy to the crime.

Reflecting on “Hallow Road”, one point worth noting in hindsight is that the predominantly automotive setting and the audio-driven storytelling might have limited its full exploration of the more fantastical aspects. Yet, considering its simple beginning, it’s quite impressive how it even touches upon such creative elements at all. With its deep themes split between two contrasting parts, it offers a distinct, gripping journey that leaves you puzzled and intrigued – which only adds to its appeal.

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2025-03-10 08:16