It’s always nice to support first time filmmakers and at this year’s festival there was a special slot dedicated to ‘new blood’. One of these was Tom Paton’s feature debut set deep in the heart of one of America’s National Parks.

 

REDWOOD sees young couple Josh (Mike Beckingham) and Beth (Tatjana Nardone) retreat to the forest after receiving some difficult news. They try to seek clarity on the situation but instead they find more than they could have expected when they ignore the advice of the Park Ranger and veer off the trail. Before long they come head on with Redwood Park’s infamous wildlife and rather unfriendly nature.

 

This is a clever take on the vampire flick and keeps you guessing until the end. Considering it was written in two days and shot in just a week, this really is a good effort for Paton’s first film.

 

There is a good build of tension throughout and a creepy atmosphere created from the start whilst you try to guess just where this is going. The two leads – Mike Beckingham and Tatjana Nardone – give decent, solid performances and have good chemistry on screen.

 

When the threat is revealed it’s done in a way so that the lack of budget doesn’t hinder the effects. The creatures are well-designed and there are some effective action sequences towards the end. Of course the film has its faults, as any debut is going to have. The story could have been expanded further and less rushed at the finish line but these are all minor points. The script draws you in and gives you an entertaining ride for 80 minutes with some ghoulish beasts thrown in for good measure!