A Safe Distance

A Safe Distance

A couple from hell in a gripping psychological thriller

Alex is supposed to spend a romantic weekend with her boyfriend in the forests of British Columbia. But the intimate getaway soon turns into a festival of grievances, and her beloved abandons Alex in the wilderness. Then Kianna, a charismatic woman, and her partner Matt cross her path. They seem liberated and helpful, but appearances can be deceiving. They are wanted by the police for robbery, and their relationship turns out to be toxic and dangerous.

Although “A Safe Distance” draws on the conventions of the psychological thriller, it is not simply a story about escape, criminals, and the fight for survival. Gloria Mercer skillfully builds a story about female agency, the need for intimacy, and breaking free from the influence of people who mistake love for control. The tension builds from scene to scene, and the audience feels the fear of the next twist right alongside the protagonist. “A Safe Distance” is a thriller in which the silence of the wilderness is terrifying, while the protagonist’s loneliness and sense of danger become almost palpable. A dense, claustrophobic atmosphere and mounting tension make every intimate shot seem to conceal something disturbing. “A Safe Distance” immerses the audience in a world of isolation, silence, and uncertainty.

Gloria Mercer’s feature directorial debut had its world premiere at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in the Narrative Spotlight section, and was subsequently screened at, among others, the Fantasia International Film Festival, one of the world’s most important genre film festivals. The screenplay was written by Aidan West, while the cast features Bethany Brown, Tandia Mercedes, Cody Kearsley, and Chris McNally.