Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys Hit the Panic Button in ‘Hallow Road’

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys take a nightmarish journey into the heart of family tension and moral uncertainty in Hallow Road, the latest psychological thriller from BAFTA-winning director Babak Anvari. Set for release in cinemas on 16 May, the film promises a taut, high-stakes experience that has already earned a glowing 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Hallow Road explores the panic and unraveling that can strike when a family is plunged into sudden crisis. The plot centres on a married couple, played by Pike and Rhys, who are jolted awake by a late-night phone call from their teenage daughter, portrayed by Megan McDonnell. She confesses that she has accidentally hit a pedestrian on a deserted road, setting her parents on a desperate dash to the scene. But as they tear through the night, racing to shield their daughter from the fallout, the couple begins to confront unsettling truths not just about the accident, but about their own relationship and the secrets they’ve buried.

The film confines much of its tension within the walls of a speeding car, using the physical claustrophobia of the vehicle to mirror the emotional compression pressing down on its characters. Pike, acclaimed for her performance in Gone Girl and more recently seen in Saltburn, is joined by Rhys, known for Burnt and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Their performances anchor the drama with an intensity that critics have called absorbing and nerve-jangling. Comedian Paul Tylak adds further intrigue to the cast, stepping into the role of a police officer whose presence threatens to upend the family’s fragile control of the situation.

Director Babak Anvari, celebrated for his previous genre work in Under the Shadow and Wounds, again demonstrates his flair for blending horror elements with emotional realism. Early reviews praise Hallow Road as a masterclass in slow-burn suspense, with reviewers highlighting how Anvari keeps audiences guessing about who – or what – may be waiting on the road ahead.

UK audiences won’t have long to wait. Hallow Road opens in cinemas nationwide on 16 May, promising a cinematic experience that delivers both relentless tension and deeply personal stakes.

Check out the trailer below for a taste of what’s to come.

Hallow Road trailer