Director: Joy Wilkinson
Jeva Films, UK 2024: 93mins
Credit: SXSW
“A fresh take on two people exploring their damaged pasts and each other across a bright, modern London”.
A hot entry in the thriller/horror-adjacent by Joy Wilkinson, “7 Keys” is a delightful high-concept idea whose central premise carries it far; as the director describes it at the screening, “it is a ride”.
Lena (Emma Mcdonald) and Daniel (Billy Postlethwaite) meet on a date where their other halves have stood them up, and they to hang out. Lena is the strong forward type, sexual, gregarious with a hint of sadness and regret, Daniel is insular, giving off vibes that he has been treated poorly with a lonely, quieter existence. It seems like from the offset as a meeting of the “heart on their sleeve” character and the stoic overly-cautious in love guy, but the situation is not as simple as that . Both start off as mysterious, and in their own ways, rather devious characters but even as the film progresses and we know more, the elegant folding fan that is their characters opens up and increase the intrigue further. The actors and writers have truly created two rounded, yet imperfect individuals with their own agendas, but also with a lot in common.
What starts as simple dating, turns out to be anything but standard. When they both visit Daniel’s digs, he lets on that he has the keys for every property he used to live in. Lena is the adventurous type and proposes they go back to all his previous abodes, have a bit fun, make a drink and experience the lives of others as a repeat of a game that she used to play. Daniel is initially reluctant, but agrees to this. The whole thing proceeds from there, and we won’t spoil it. As mentioned, the acting is top notch, both actors have some good back story to play with, and you can clearly feel the motivations that pushes them forward.
It is also a beautiful film. For what seems like a series of small-scale setup, the cinematography really brings to life these small spaces. London as a character is sharp and bright. Be it the narrow corner shop, the red hues of the bar, or the bright, piercing interior through frosted glass early on, this is kind of a love letter to the city. The camera work is superb. Early on we see it zoom downwards over an expansive shot of a local estate with the city in the background, at one point in the film there is a tracking shot which goes through an apartment wall which was probably a nightmare to pull off.
There are some great themes in here. Without giving anything away, there are questions about isolation and how it makes us act. There is a strong discussion around social capital, with the power of those with money and status and how it may interfere with another’s life. There is an examination of toxic masculinity, truth and our attitudes to views that we might be repulsed by. The strongest flame from which the film burns is it’s conciliatory tone. Condemnation is the easy choice to make with a clash of opinion in all walks of life, but ultimately is not good for the people involved or society as a whole. This film walks more than it’s fair share to comment on this modern issue, even though we suspect the ending direction might not be to everyone’s approval (we had no problem with it).
“7 Keys” is a strong entry in the thriller and adjacent horror genre, with it’s horror elements coming the fore towards the latter part of the film. It never gets too bogged down by it’s initial “thought experiment” seed of an idea, the drama of the characters and their interactions is really engaging and continues to right to the end. The film has plenty to say whether it is during heart-beating terror, or in the quieter, slower and warmer moments. Like a stick flowing on the stream, you watch with a mind to which way it will turn and go. Give this a try, you won’t be disappointed.