Await further instructions
Last Christmas?
RELEASED 7 DECEMBER 15 | 87 minutes Director Johnny Kevorkian Cast david bradley, sam Gittins, Neerja Naik, Grant masters
Christmas can be difficult if you don’t get on with your family. Nick (Sam Gittins) takes his girlfriend Annji (Neerja Naik) home to meet his parents and imperious grandad (David Bradley). The pair decide to leave after a torrent of racism, but discover the house has been sealed up. Something is happening and the family must follow instructions on the TV if they want to survive...
The plot may be familiar, but Await Further Instructions is a taut and well-executed thriller with a fine script. Bradley’s grandad doesn’t present a physical threat, but he’s a vicious, manipulative and horribly believable old bigot whose cruelty begins to rub off on the rest of the family. Despite this, the film is often funny – especially if you’re familiar with British TV.
A transition to Cronenberg-style body horror in the second half proves less effective, moving the drama away from social and generational differences. Still, it benefits hugely from practical effects whiz Dan Martin’s inventive touch as the film reaches a deranged climax. Will Salmon
Five of the seven cast members have appeared in Casualty, while Gittins appeared in its spin-off, Holby City!