Movies: Shoulders (2025) by Jamie Flatters: A Tense Look at the Psychological Toll of War

The Unraveling of a Unit in Isolation: Shoulders (2025) is a psychological war film and the directorial debut of actor Jamie Flatters. The movie centers on a group of eight young soldiers who are sent to a remote northern post in Scotland. Their mission is to watch for signs of an enemy invasion, but when they lose contact with their main base and find themselves without weapons, their mission changes. Forced to fend for themselves, they begin a slow descent into madness as they create their own societal rules and struggle to maintain their sanity in the face of isolation and paranoia. The film is a micro-budget production that was shot in rural Invergarry with no electricity or running water, a challenge that, according to Flatters, added to the authenticity of the actors' performances.

Why to watch this movie & A Unique Take on the War Genre:

• A Psychological Thriller, Not a Battle Film: The film is less about military action and more about the psychological impact of war and isolation on the human mind. It is a war film without the fighting.

• A Promising Debut: As a first-time director, Jamie Flatters has been praised for his innovative visual style and compelling direction, making this a noteworthy debut.

• Strong Ensemble Cast: The film's cast, including Sky Yang, Harvey Scrimshaw, and Benjamin Darville, has been lauded for their individual performances, bringing a raw intensity to the characters' struggles.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/shoulders (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/shoulders (Australia)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30970428/

Link Review: https://filmhounds.co.uk/2025/06/shoulders-film-review/

What is the Trend followed? & The Rise of Intimate, Psychological War Dramas: Shoulders follows the trend of moving beyond large-scale war epics to focus on the intimate and psychological toll of conflict.

• Focus on Trauma and Isolation: The film belongs to a genre that explores the internal struggles of soldiers, particularly the mental and emotional consequences of their experiences, rather than the physical battles.

• The "Lord of the Flies" Narrative: The film’s premise, with its group of isolated individuals creating their own society, is a modern take on the classic "Lord of the Flies" narrative, a trend seen in other recent films and shows.

• The Unreliable Reality: The film blurs the line between hallucination and reality, a common trend in psychological thrillers that explores the effects of extreme stress and paranoia.

Director's Vision & Pushing the Boundaries of a Genre: Jamie Flatters' vision for Shoulders was to create a "weird, timeless war film" that pushes the boundaries of the genre. He wanted to explore the philosophical and psychological aspects of warfare, a departure from traditional military narratives.

• Aggressive and Angry Writing: The director has stated that he wrote the script aggressively in two weeks after a series of rejections on a different, more "normal" script. This passion and frustration are evident in the film's tense, claustrophobic atmosphere.

• Visual Innovation: Flatters, inspired by directors like Federico Fellini and Andrei Tarkovsky, uses a blend of formal, rigid shots and more chaotic handheld camerawork to reflect the characters' psychological descent.

• Authenticity Through Struggle: The micro-budget and difficult filming conditions were a deliberate choice to enhance the actors' performances, making their struggle for survival feel more authentic.

Themes & Sanity in a World Without Rules:

• Descent into Madness: The film's central theme is the gradual breakdown of sanity and social order when a group is cut off from the outside world.

• The Nature of War: By removing the enemy and the fighting, the film raises existential questions about the nature of war itself. Is it a external conflict, or is it a battle that rages within us?

• Power Dynamics and Group Mentality: The film explores how power dynamics shift and new social hierarchies are created within the isolated group, showing how easily a society can descend into chaos.

• Loneliness and Paranoia: The film highlights the psychological impact of extreme isolation, portraying how it can lead to paranoia, suspicion, and a blurring of reality.

Key success factors & Festival Buzz and Bold Filmmaking:

• Festival Premiere: The film's world premiere at the Clapham International Film Festival helped it gain early attention and critical buzz, establishing its place in the independent film world.

• Bold Directorial Style: Flatters' willingness to take risks with a non-traditional narrative and a unique visual style is a key factor in the film's appeal to critics and art-house audiences.

• Strong Performances: Despite some criticism of the group dynamic, the individual performances of the young cast have been praised, which is a major draw for the film.

• Original Premise: The film's fascinating premise—a war film without a visible enemy—sets it apart and makes it an intriguing watch.

Awards & Nominations & A Promising Start on the Festival Circuit: The film had its world premiere at the Clapham International Film Festival in late 2024.

Critics Reception & An Ambitious But Flawed Debut:

• Loud and Clear Reviews: This review states that the film is a "promising debut for Flatters, whose first feature establishes him as an innovative and compelling director." However, it also notes that the film "fails to deliver the stakes of the entire narrative" due to a lack of character development and a slow third act.

• FILMHOUNDS Magazine: The review calls the film "ambitious yet bland and jarring," stating that the film "fails to deliver a cohesive plot" and that the characters "lack distinctive traits or backstory."

• Overall Summary: The critical reception is mixed. While critics praise the film's bold concept, direction, and individual performances, they also highlight issues with the narrative, character development, and pacing, which they believe prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Reviews & A Masterclass in Directing with a Weak Story:

• Overall Summary: Reviews from critics generally agree that the film is a technically impressive debut with a powerful concept. However, a common critique is that the film's story and character development are its weakest points. The film is considered a strong first effort for a director but falls short of being a masterpiece due to its narrative flaws.

What Movie Trend film is following & The Auteur-Driven Indie: The film follows the trend of young actors taking on the role of an auteur, writing, directing, and producing their own films. This trend, seen with other actors like Jonah Hill and Bradley Cooper, showcases the multifaceted talents of a new generation of artists who want to have complete control over their creative vision.

What Big Social Trend is following & The De-glamorization of War: Shoulders is part of a growing social trend to de-glamorize war and show its true human cost. By focusing on the psychological damage and mental fragility of soldiers, the film counters traditional heroic narratives and highlights the silent struggles that are often left out of the conversation about conflict.

Final Verdict & A Raw and Unsettling Debut: Shoulders is a raw and unsettling film that showcases Jamie Flatters as a bold and innovative new voice in cinema. While its narrative flaws and lack of character depth may be a point of contention for some viewers, its stunning visual style, intense atmosphere, and powerful performances make it a compelling and worthwhile watch. It is a promising debut for a young filmmaker and an important contribution to the genre of psychological thrillers.