Written and directed by Mark Hayman and Margaret Rogerson, the life of a single mum spirals out of control when a shocking event threatens to tear her family apart. Pursued by a dangerous criminal, they flee the city to hide out in a remote caravan on the coast, along the way they accept the help of a mysterious stranger. Starring: Georgina Rich, Ellie Bindman, Gabe Robinson, Jonny Phillips, Craig Russell, Kayla Meikle and Joe Macaulay.
Some films take a while to get going, whereas others dive in headfirst and Soundproof definitely plunges right in. Kicking things off with the crucial harsh moment that sends this family off on an escapist road trip, it’s a heavy note to start with and not entirely smooth, taking on a tricky topic but it does clearly set the darker tone to the film. Although, where other films might have that big opening followed by dramatically slowing down, Mark Hayman and Margaret Rogerson attempt to keep that intensity going for most of the film. It’s a risky choice as it’s playing things big and that doesn’t really allow for a natural ebb and flow of the fear and tension to the story. It would have been great to see it switch gears a bit more and let things genuinely relax occasionally.
The story is split between our fleeing family, and the criminal they’re trying to escape, along with the friend he’s kidnapped for the ride. That back and forth works to expand the characters and continually be adding fear into the equation. Although some characters feel more successful than others, unexpectedly it’s Kayla Meikle’s Milan who takes a lot of the limelight. Not only does her character have a great amount of strength and resilience but Meikle brings her to life with a fantastic personality, leaving you wanting more. Whereas Ellie Bindman and Gabe Robinson’s brooding, irritable teens don’t always have a lot to add, mostly staying within quite a limited box of typical angst.
One of the surprising elements is Georgina Rich’s Jo, she has an unusual mix of feeling naïve yet clearly well aware of the criminal element she’s found herself mixed up in. It feeds the fear of her character and creates an interesting mix of warmth and exasperation. Craig Russell is a great addition as Tom, really leaning into that mystery and darkness, while never losing his sympathetic and generous side. Opening up a lot of themes of trauma and trust which added to the isolated, waterside location almost feels like a nod to 2012’s Mud, with a touch of 2014’s The Guest. Both Russell and Meikle really had a lot to add, and it’s only a shame their characters weren’t expanded even further.
Working with a story like this, some filmmakers are often tempted to push the energy and criminality by injecting it into the directorial style, thankfully Mark Hayman and Margaret Rogerson avoid that. Instead they go for a drama driven style which works really well, and take advantage of some superbly chosen locations. It has a classic British edge, and captures the UK while never hitting cliched visuals, and finding a few lesser explored scenic spots. There’s also something to it that feels reminiscent of Malachi Smyth’s The Score.
Soundproof is a solid crime drama, mixing family with fear and adding in a great note of isolation. There’s a good amount of tension and it uses the constant threat of being caught well. Some of the characters hit stronger notes than others, with a mix of stereotypical versus compelling personalities. The direction is nicely consistent throughout, it brings through the edge of darkness without trying to drown the film in its criminal side. It can be a touch over sentimental at times and struggle to keep that in balance with its grit, while treading some familiar ground, but regardless it’s a strong feature debut from Hayman and Rogerson.
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