Written by Madelaine Isaac and director David Luke Rees, By the Throat is a film whose title promises an ‘edge of your seat’ thrill ride. The reality however, is a film that is far more slow burn and careful in its delivery. Although the narrative has a slow and drawn out pace, By the Throat itself comes in at just under the eighty minute mark, making it one of the punchier run time films screening at this year’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Glasgow event.
The slowly burning story is built around three characters: Lizzy (Patricia Allison), Amy (Jeany Spark), and Alex (Rupert Young). Amy and Alex are a married couple struggling to process the death of their daughter. Amy in particular is not handling the situation well, and due to her grief, requires constant supervision. Lizzy is hired by Alex to look after his wife, but her arrival brings more harm than good. It is quickly evident that all is not well in the house, but nothing can prepare Lizzy for just how dark things become.
David Luke Rees takes his time to build to By the Throat’s crescendo. Much like Speak No Evil, many of the early signs that all is not well with Amy and Alex stems from simple scenarios. For example, Lizzy finds herself forced into a meal with the bickering couple, but not only that, Amy insists she wears something from her own wardrobe. The sharing of clothes between practical strangers is uncomfortable, but is just one step on the way to By the Throat’s end point.
Given the slow, steady, and somewhat mundane nature of the bulk of the film, not all of the audience that start By the Throat will make it to the end. It is not until the final third of the film that more traditional horror elements are introduced. Suddenly the story shifts its perspective and it switches from intense chamber piece to something decidedly more occult like. Quite whether this end section is worth the build-up depends on the amount of patience the viewer has. For those that can hang in, the reward is well earned, but as exciting as the change of pace is, the story is still one that has been seen countless times before. This doesn’t exactly lessen the viewing experience, but will leave some feeling slightly deflated. Although it is a solidly made film overall, By the Throat unfortunately doesn’t quite live up to its titular promise.
By the Throat
Summary
A slow burn first half is followed by an exciting finale, but with such a long route to get there, By the Throat will leave some by the wayside.
By the Throat was reviewed at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Glasgow 2025.
