Written, directed and produced by Brighton-based filmmaker Brian Gregory, ‘Daniel Came Home’ looks at the indelible trauma and lasting effects that our upbringing can have on us – even posthumously. The horror-fuelled dramatic experimental film employs a myriad of skilful cinematic techniques which wholly absorb you throughout the 16 minute runtime.
The film is adapted from a short story written by the director himself which lends to the notably powerful script and dialogue within. Jack (the father), astutely played by David Keyes, is initially overjoyed at his son’s unexpected return after having held a funeral for him, but soon reverts into the cruel man Daniel grew up under. His commentary rapidly becomes what we only assume Daniel suffered for years – petty, combative and derogatory racist rants which made me as a viewer flinch, as I’m sure was intended.
Horror, although present throughout, brazenly raises its ugly head as Daniel is seemingly possessed by his long-dead mother, whose words finally seem to put his father in his place and we see him truly terrified by the bizarre situation. The monster created by Jack is no mythical devil but instead a product, alongside his upbringing, of the horrors of war. Brian alludes to these atrocities from the very opening scene with the crackle of a radio and subsequent flashbacks to the violence and long-lasting damage the fighting had on Daniel.
The terrifying world created in ‘Daniel Came Home’ is strengthened and guided by a thoughtful and provoking sound design. A raging storm and some fabulous sound FX are woven deftly alongside a fitting synth piece by Neil Gregory. The film also employs shadowy apparitions, mind bending fish-eye views and snappy edits with overlaid images, which all come together to create this darkest of dystopias, as envisaged by Brian.
After avenging both his mother and himself, the film closes with Daniel (played brilliantly by Adam Eveson) crawling through the corridor haunted by the trauma suffered in war, only to be juxtaposed with happier times gone by and the cacophonous sounds of birthday party. Flashbacks of Daniel’s own childhood and the promise of joining his departed mother as the light of day dawns brings us back to his aforementioned promise that neither of them would be alive the next day. ‘Daniel Came Home’, which won Best Micro Budget Film at Brighton Rocks 2023, is testament to Brian Gregory’s vision and talents and provides a chilling glimpse of what is surely to come in his future work.
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