Hallow Road review: Claustrophobic tension-fuelled thriller set almost entirely inside a moving car is full of surprises
Alice says she hit a pedestrian while driving through the woods. The car is in a ditch, the stranger is unresponsive, and the ambulance has yet to show. Luckily, mam and dad have a second car.
It'll take them an hour to reach Alice, but Frank (a first-class worrier) and Maddie (an experienced paramedic) will stay on the phone all night, if they need to. Think you know where this is headed? Think again.
Partly filmed in Ireland, Hallow Road plots an unusual course and is set almost entirely inside a moving car. It's a claustrophobic stage, for any actor, but Pike and Rhys rise to the challenge, and this eerie, tension-fuelled two-hander, directed by Babak Anvari, is full of surprises.
You'll ask yourself what you'd do, in Maddie's situation – you might also start to wonder what sort of film you're watching. I've said too much. Prepare to be stunned.
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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Hallow Road review: Claustrophobic tension-fuelled thriller set almost entirely inside a moving car is full of surprises
Alice says she hit a pedestrian while driving through the woods. The car is in a ditch, the stranger is unresponsive, and the ambulance has yet to show. Luckily, mam and dad have a second car. It'll take them an hour to reach Alice, but Frank (a first-class worrier) and Maddie (an experienced paramedic) will stay on the phone all night, if they need to. Think you know where this is headed? Think again. Partly filmed in Ireland, Hallow Road plots an unusual course and is set almost entirely inside a moving car. It's a claustrophobic stage, for any actor, but Pike and Rhys rise to the challenge, and this eerie, tension-fuelled two-hander, directed by Babak Anvari, is full of surprises. You'll ask yourself what you'd do, in Maddie's situation – you might also start to wonder what sort of film you're watching. I've said too much. Prepare to be stunned.
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- RTÉ News
RTÉjr unveils summer line-up of homegrown content
RTÉjr has unveiled its summer line-up of homegrown content that's supporting world-class, award-winning Irish animation. This summer, RTÉ - in collaboration with Ireland's vibrant independent production sector - promises an exciting season of distinctive content created especially for Ireland's youngest citizens. As part of RTÉ's ongoing commitment to deliver unique Irish programming that informs, entertains, and inspires, five new and continuing enchanting children's series will begin across RTÉjr and RTÉ Player this May, June and July. These fun offerings promise magical adventures, heartfelt storytelling, and engaging educational experiences, all rooted in Irish culture and creativity. Created by the award-winning JAM Media, BeddyByes is a cosy, colourful escape for little dreamers, designed specifically to take young children on a gentle journey that reinforces the familiar evening to bedtime routine. Join best friends MeMo and BaBa as they journey across the magical Planet BeddyByes, meeting fantastical beings that encourage good nutrition, mindfulness and creativity. Launching on RTÉjr on June 7, with 10 episodes available early from May 31 on RTÉ Player. Séamus Goes Wild is all about a cheeky, curious little farm dog with a nose for adventure. While Farmer Lily and the animals at Glenmore Farm try to keep him on task, Séamus can't resist sneaking off to explore the wild beyond the gate. From the woods to the coasts, Séamus dives headfirst into nature, meeting all kinds of wild and wonderful creatures - pine martens, foxes, kingfishers, minibeasts, deer and more. Every episode is a new discovery, packed with fun, friendship, and furry surprises. Directed by Julian Hills and produced by GMarsh TV for RTÉjr, Séamus Goes Wild is a joyful celebration of curiosity, nature, and the magic just beyond the hedgerow. All episodes of Séamus Goes Wild are streaming now on RTÉjr and RTÉ Player. Launching on June 9 across RTÉjr, RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, Sparks - School's Out is a vibrant collection of seven short original Irish animations, each offering a unique take on the theme of school ending. From robot classrooms and shifting seasons to the quiet loneliness of a school caretaker after the final bell, these bite sized stories capture the joy, curiosity, and unexpected emotions that come with the start of summer. Commissioned by RTÉjr, Sparks - School's Out is a playful and poignant celebration of imagination, transition and everything in between. Maddie + Triggs features Maddie, a curious and imaginative seven-year-old with a vision impairment and her playful labradoodle Triggs as they turn everyday sounds into big adventures. Whether it's the hum of a hoover or the splash of rain, this dynamic duo finds music and magic in the world around them. Set in the colourful town of Higgledy-Piggledy, Maddie + Triggs is a heartwarming celebration of friendship, sound and seeing the world a little differently. Maddie + Triggs returns with brand-new episodes from July 21 on RTÉjr and RTÉ Player. Produced by Little Moon Animation, the award-winning preschool series Fia's Fairies returns with 24 enchanting new episodes that sprinkle a little more wonder into homes across Ireland. Beloved by children and parents alike, Fia's Fairies celebrates kindness, curiosity, teamwork and a love of language, both in English and as Gaeilge. Brand new episodes on RTÉjr every Monday at 8:00am, repeated at 5.25pm, with all episodes streaming on RTÉ Player. Let the magic continue! Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children's and Young People's Content RTÉ said, "It's summertime on RTÉjr and to celebrate, we've loads of fun filled series for our youngest viewers! "In Séamus Goes Wild, RTÉjr's favourite adventurous puppy dog is getting outside and introducing us all to the farm animals and wildlife that live near his farm. "Fia, Ameer, Bláithín & Cuán are back for more adventures on Fairy Island with brand new episodes of Fia's Fairies, a really great way to learn Irish while having fun with Fia & the gang! "Our animated shorts scheme Sparks, fizzles onto your screens with 7 brand new short films all based around the theme of 'School's Out' and the ever-popular Maddie +Triggs is back with brand new episodes just in time for you to enjoy over the summer break. "Last but by no means least we are thrilled to welcome Beddybyes to RTÉjr. "In this wonderfully soothing, gentle bedtime series, designed specifically to mirror young children's bedtime routines, we meet MeMo, BaBa, Grandma Leeba, the Tweeties and the Yummies, for some adorable bedtime adventures, truly the perfect series to drift off to sleep with. We hope you enjoy!'" A safe space for young people to watch native content, RTÉjr offers programmes which are ad-free and available in Safe Mode on RTÉ Player.
Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
A Stitch in summertime: Shandon Street shop to host one of Irene Kelleher's plays
Cork writer and actor Irene Kelleher has two one-woman shows at the Cork Midsummer Festival (CMF) in June. One of them is site-specific, taking place in an old shop on Shandon Street. The former J Nolan Stationery shop felt perfect for Kelleher's show, Stitch, which she describes as 'haunting". The play is set in a garment alteration shop in 1989. Pins and Needles, as it is called, is about to close down and be taken over by Xtravision. 'It was a family business but the only people left are seamstress Alice and her aunt Katie who live over the shop,' says Kelleher. 'It's going to be a huge change for Alice who, when the play opens, has been down in the basement for seven months, only coming up at night when there's nobody on the street. She has been doing her work in the basement. The place has quite a history.' The play, loosely inspired by Frankenstein, is set at Halloween. Alice is particularly busy getting costumes ready for the spooky night ahead. Kelleher says that for her character, the past is lingering in the walls. Why the site specific setting rather than a traditional theatre space? 'When I performed my show, Gone Full Havisham, in the penthouse of the Clayton Hotel in 2019 for the CMF, there was something incredibly special for audiences about seeing it there," says Kelleher. "We created a world into which the audience was thrown. When I write a play, I always think of the audience experience, trying to create it in my head. I thought it would be amazing if Stitch could be done in a shop where there's ghosts in the walls. "When I went to see the shop, there was an old Singer sewing machine there which I took as a sign.' Irene Kelleher. Kelleher's other play, Footnote, set in a bookshop, will be performed by her at the Cork Theatre Collective Studio at the Triskel. The comedy already had a performance as a work-in-progress on Culture Night at Cork City Library last year. It was inspired by Kelleher's experience of working in the former Liam Ruiseal's bookshop while she was studying English, and Theatre and Drama Studies at UCC. It is directed by Laura O'Mahony who also worked in the shop as a student of drama. 'We always thought a bookshop would be a great setting for a play. Laura has done some brilliant comedic sketches set in a bookshop over the years. I always wanted to write something in that setting but it took me a while to come up with the central character.' Kelleher created the character of Noreen, a struggling writer, who lives in the shadow of her famous (fictional) mother, a poet and feminist activist. Whether Kelleher's real-life daughters will live in her shadow remains to be seen. The writer/actor is no pushy stage mom. While Marie (three-and-a-half) and Katie (two) will be free to pursue their own interests, which for the eldest child, involves attending dance classes, Kelleher says, half-jokingly, she hopes Marie will go into credit control. Such is her attitude to the insecure nature of working in the arts. However, Kelleher says she would 'go insane' if she had a more regular job. 'I always knew this is what I wanted to do. It's important for me to keep working and to keep creative. I know I'm in a privileged position in that I don't have to work full time.' Cork Midsummer Festival As the chief carer for her daughters, Kelleher says she is now very particular about what work she will take on. Writing plays was initially an outlet for performance but Kelleher has really grown to love the art form and she can work at it around her children's activities. Her husband, Denis O'Sullivan, works from home for an American IT company and Kelleher says he is very supportive. Kelleher will be busy for six weeks in the lead up to and during the CMF. 'We make it work. Denis will be off for two weeks during my busy time. After that, the cavalry – the grannies and aunties – will help out," she explains. The two shows are produced by Mighty Oak Productions, with Stitch directed by Regina Crowley. Cormac O'Connor has designed the soundscape and has also branched into lighting. Costumes are a huge part of Stitch and are designed by Valentia Gambardella. Kelleher says she feels honoured to have two shows being staged in the CMF. 'They are very different and they reflect me as an artist.' Stitch is on from June 13-22 apart from June 16 and 17 at J Nolan 21, Shandon Street. Footnote is on June 14, 16 and 17 at the Triskel. See
