The film is about a corrupt policeman's investigation into a drug and trafficking ring and while undercover, trying to help one of the many victims. Writer/Director Gerard Johnson previously made Tony (2009) a brilliant pitch black comedy/drama about a suburban serial killer. This one is played pretty much straight and therefore more of a tough watch. It does have very graphic content including moments of genuinely shocking violence (including a brilliant moment towards the beginning depicting the aftermath of a murder which I gasped so loud at) and a very unsettling tone throughout. Johnson's main collaborator Peter Ferdinando plays the central character Michael Logan and he is absolutely fantastic! Performances all round are great and especially Elisa Lasowski's role as Ariana; a terrified individual who keeps her head down in order to not be subjected to the absolute horror of being sold to men again. She is the victim of atrocious abuse as shown in one harrowing sequence and you really want her to escape. Perhaps the downfall of the film is it's overly ambiguous and frustrating ending which in some ways is an indicator of just how gripping the film was up until then. It also feels long but I think that's the case as it is such an exhausting watch at times because of its disturbing subject matter. It is a haunting and relentless portrayal of a seedy underworld accompanied by a hugely atmospheric score by Matt Johnson
Review of Hyena
