Directed by
Andrew Gaynord
Made by
Elevation Pictures
The socially anxious Pete has just returned from volunteering at a refugee camp and is looking forward to celebrating his 31st birthday at a countryside estate owned by his friend George. Gathering with his friends, including George, his wife Fig, the cocaine-loving Archie, and his ex-girlfriend Claire, they unexpectedly invite Harry, a middle-aged man they met in a pub, along with a wild goose. This odd situation begins to unsettle Pete, especially as Harry’s strange antics unfold.
As the friends share old memories, tensions rise when Archie feels upset at Pete’s feigned ignorance regarding his past unflattering behavior. Meanwhile, Pete becomes suspicious after noticing that his medication looks like it has been tampered with and discovers a photo of a young girl on Harry’s phone.
The following morning, Pete is taken aback to find Harry speaking with a different accent and wearing clothes that initially appear to belong to Pete but are actually Harry’s. After leaving Harry behind to join the others at the pub, Pete is startled by a decapitated wild goose and next encounters Harry charging at him wielding an axe. To his surprise, this alarming chase turns out to be a prank orchestrated by his friends for a surprise party. Frustrated by feeling like the bad friend, Pete expresses his anger.
Once back at the house, tension escalates during a conversation between Claire and Pete about their sexual history. Just then, Pete’s fiancée Sonia arrives to partake in the festivity. While rifling through Harry’s belongings, Pete finds peculiar observational notes about him and confirms that his medication has indeed been swapped. Fearing that Harry has mentioned his past with Claire to Sonia, Pete tries to explain, but Sonia, confused, claims he had already shared that information long ago.
The key surprise from Harry involves a local man impersonating Pete in a comedic fashion, which clarifies Harry’s earlier notes. However, the parody shifts to a darker tone, leading Pete to unravel a painful secret: as a child, he and a friend used to torment a local girl who feared dogs, contributing to her tragic suicide. He then mistakenly believes Harry is a brother seeking revenge for the loss of his sister, only to learn that the girl in the photo is actually Harry’s daughter, and that Harry is an eccentric student the group had affectionately discussed earlier.
In a frantic outburst, Pete accuses Harry of drugging him, but it’s revealed by Archie that it was actually his prank to get Pete high to liven up the party. Pete’s emotional outcry leads to accusations against his friends, who push back claiming Pete has become self-absorbed, ceaselessly monopolizing conversations about his charity work without showing concern for them. The climax sees Pete angrily throw a vase at Harry, knocking him out cold, which stuns the remaining guests.
The film concludes with Pete and Sonia on their drive home. In a moment of vulnerability, Pete tells Sonia he would understand if she decides against marrying him. Initially, Sonia appears to agree, spiraling Pete into despair, but then reveals she was merely joking. She candidly remarks, > “You know the problem with you, don’t you? You can’t take a fucking joke.”
Pete's Return from the Refugee Camp
The story begins with Pete, who has just returned from volunteering at a refugee camp. This experience has left him socially anxious but hopeful to celebrate his 31st birthday.
Birthday Celebration at the Estate
Pete gathers with his friends at a countryside estate owned by George for a birthday celebration. Among the attendees are George, his wife Fig, the fun-loving Archie, and his ex-girlfriend Claire.
Unexpected Guest Harry
During the celebration, the friends unexpectedly invite Harry, a middle-aged man they met in a pub, along with a wild goose. This bizarre addition to the gathering begins to unsettle Pete.
Archie's Confrontation
As the night unfolds, Archie confronts Pete over his feigned ignorance regarding past unflattering events. The tension in the air thickens as old memories resurface.
Pete's Suspicion Grows
Pete starts feeling uneasy when he suspects that his medication has been tampered with. His discomfort escalates upon discovering a photo of a young girl on Harry's phone.
Strange Morning Discoveries
The following morning, Pete is shocked to see Harry behaving oddly, speaking in a different accent and wearing clothes he initially thinks are his. This strange behavior raises Pete’s concerns even further.
A Frightening Chase
After leaving Harry behind to join his friends, Pete is startled by the sight of a decapitated wild goose. Soon after, he finds himself in a comedic yet alarming chase with Harry wielding an axe.
The Prank Revealed
To Pete's relief, he discovers that the chase was a prank orchestrated by his friends for a surprise party. However, he is frustrated and feels mistreated as he expresses his anger towards them.
Claire and Pete's Tense Chat
Inside the house, a heated discussion erupts between Pete and Claire regarding their sexual history. This adds to Pete’s uneasiness as he worries about the dynamics in the room.
Sonia's Arrival
Pete's fiancée Sonia arrives at the celebration, adding another layer of complexity to the already strained atmosphere. Pete feels the pressure as he tries to navigate the tensions with old and new friends.
Uncovering Harry's Secrets
While going through Harry's belongings, Pete discovers strange notes about himself and confirms that his medication has been swapped. This raises alarm bells for Pete about Harry's intentions.
Darker Revelations
The situation intensifies as Pete reflects on a secret from his childhood involving a girl who had tragically committed suicide. He erroneously associates Harry with this painful past, suspecting revenge.
Accusations Fly
In a moment of emotional turmoil, Pete accuses Harry of drugging him. This accusation leads to an even larger conflict as friends turn against Pete, accusing him of being self-absorbed and uncaring.
The Vase Incident
Pete reaches a breaking point and throws a vase at Harry, knocking him out cold, which leaves the other guests stunned. This act escalates the already charged atmosphere among friends.
Drive Home with Sonia
The film concludes with Pete and Sonia driving home, where Pete expresses his fears about their future together. Initially appearing to agree with him, Sonia reveals she was joking about leaving, highlighting the tension in their relationship.
Pete (Tom Stourton)
Pete is a socially anxious individual struggling to navigate the complexities of friendship and self-identity. His journey highlights the internal conflicts that arise from past traumas and present pressures. He is portrayed as both relatable and flawed, often oscillating between vulnerability and defensiveness.
George (Joshua McGuire)
George is the owner of the estate and a central figure in organizing the gathering. He represents a stabilizing force within the group, yet his involvement in the pranks adds to the tensions. His character reflects the complexities of friendship, where loyalty is tested amidst playful banter.
Fig (Georgina Campbell)
Fig, George's wife, navigates the unfolding chaos with a blend of support and skepticism. She embodies a voice of reason amidst the mounting tension, often caught between her affection for George and concern for Pete. Her reactions provide insight into the dynamics of the friend group.
Harry (Dustin Demri-Burns)
Harry is an eccentric addition to the group, whose unpredictable behavior heightens the sense of unease. Initially seen as an outsider, his character becomes pivotal in revealing deeper insecurities within the friend dynamic. His odd antics challenge the group’s perceptions of friendship.
Claire (Antonia Clarke)
Claire, Pete's ex-girlfriend, complicates the dynamics with her presence, bringing unresolved tension to the forefront. Her interactions with Pete reveal layers of their past relationship and the impact of history on current feelings. Claire serves as a reminder of what Pete is trying to escape from.
Sonia (Charly Clive)
Sonia, Pete's fiancée, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative with her candid demeanor. She navigates the chaos with humor, yet her interactions with Pete provide insight into his internal struggles. Sonia represents both support and the sometimes harsh reality of relationships.
Time period
Present Day
The film takes place in contemporary times, allowing its themes of social anxiety and friendship to resonate with today's audience. Modern social dynamics, including the use of smartphones and current cultural references, highlight the characters' interactions and the psychological issues they face. This setting amplifies the relevance of the issues explored in the narrative.
Location
countryside estate
The countryside estate serves as the main setting for the film, providing a backdrop to the tensions and dynamics between friends. Known for its serene environment, it contrasts sharply with the chaotic events that unfold during Pete's birthday celebration. The estate symbolizes both comfort and entrapment for Pete, as it reflects the complexities of social interactions among his friends.
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Anxiety
Anxiety is a central theme as Pete grapples with his social insecurities throughout the birthday gathering. The film illustrates how past traumas and present fears can distort one's perception of friendships. Pete's unease escalates with the arrival of Harry, exacerbating his already fragile state.
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Deception
Deception plays a critical role in the film, from the pranks played by Pete's friends to the misunderstandings surrounding Harry's character. This theme explores how appearances can be misleading and how trust can be undermined in close relationships. The friends' actions reflect the complexities and sometimes darker sides of human interactions.
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Guilt and Regret
Guilt and regret manifest prominently in Pete's character as he confronts the repercussions of his past actions. The film delves into the weight of unresolved issues and how they affect present relationships. Pete's emotional turmoil serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of childhood behavior on adulthood.
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