By The Throat

Lizzy (Patricia Allison) has taken on a housekeeping job with wealthy couple Amy (Jeany Spark) and Alex (Rupert Young). The pair are still traumatised by the death of their daughter, and as in many films like this, her room is strictly off limits.

Alex is called away leaving Lizzy and Amy. Amy however has hardly left her room since the tragedy and Lizzy leaves her meals outside her bedroom door. There’s the occasional house call from Dr Lewis (Matthew Cottle) but for the main part Lizzy is left to her own devices, which means curiosity gets the better of her.

Lizzy has her own mental health issues though the nightmares she has in the house look far more solid. By chance Amy comes out of her room and turns out to be a brusque character, which is understandable once she tells Lizzy about the accident over a very large glass of wine.

Alex’s return restores some normality though its awkward. The couple try to make Lizzy more welcome with a dinner, though that just makes her sick. Then there are the white shrouded people in the garden.

For much of its running time director David Luke Rees, co-written with Madelaine Isaac creates an understandable and relatable tale of deep grief, guilt and recovery, with some creepy bits. Unfortunately, once the film hits the third act it all becomes messy and very stabby. Some of it is hinted at during the film though its likely seasoned horror watchers will work out what’s coming sometime before.

The setting of an isolated rural house occupied by a wealthy couple is a cliché though Luke Rees uses the location well enough and builds a genuine unease within the household. The only rounded characters are Amy and Lizzy and it's just enough to elicit some sympathy for them if not actually get the viewer on their side.

By The Throat had its world premiere at Glasgow FrightFest 2025.