New Movies: Safe (2023) by Debbie Howard: An Unsettling Glimpse into Everyday Harassment

Safe (2023) is a poignant and tension-filled short drama film directed by Debbie Howard, that compellingly portrays the subtle yet deeply unsettling experience of a woman encountering ambiguous harassment in a public space. Starring Laura Bayston as Anne, an office cleaner, the film captures the mounting dread and silent vigilance women often endure, even when no overt crime occurs. Through its authentic narrative and intelligent direction, Safe shines a vital light on the pervasive microaggressions and everyday fears that impact women's sense of security, sparking crucial conversations about consent and respect.

Short Summary

Debbie Howard's short film Safe (2023) is a tension-filled drama about an office cleaner, Anne, who experiences ambiguous harassment at a bus stop. The film masterfully illustrates the subtle fears and microaggressions women face daily, prompting vital discussions on safety and consent. It has garnered numerous awards for its authentic portrayal and impactful storytelling.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16449350/

About movie: https://www.bigbuddhafilms.co.uk/our-work/safe

Link to watch: https://directorsnotes.com/2025/01/15/debbie-howard-safe/

Detailed Summary

Directed by Debbie Howard, Safe (2023) is a powerful and critically acclaimed short drama film that delves into the insidious nature of everyday harassment experienced by women. The narrative centers on Anne (Laura Bayston), an office cleaner, who, on her way home one evening, finds herself in an increasingly unsettling encounter with a man, Daz (James Nelson-Joyce), at a bus stop. Howard's film meticulously builds tension by focusing on the ambiguous yet deeply disquieting interactions, immersing audiences in Anne's mounting dread. Far from depicting an overt crime, Safe illuminates the silent psychological toll of microaggressions and the constant vigilance women must maintain in public spaces. The film was developed with insights from organizations like The Women's Equality Party and Rape Crisis, and notably features a predominantly female crew, ensuring an authentic and personally informed portrayal of these pervasive issues.

Plot Summary

• The Premise: Anne, an office cleaner, finishes her late shift and simply wants to catch a bus home to put her daughter to bed.

• The Encounter: While waiting at a deserted bus stop in the dark and pouring rain, a man, Daz, appears and begins to subtly encroach upon her space and verbally harass her.

• Building Tension: The film focuses on the insidious nature of the interaction, where no overt aggression takes place, but the man's behavior becomes increasingly unsettling and intimidating.

• The Dilemma: Anne is left with a difficult choice: board the bus, risking further interaction, or face a long, dark walk home. The film concludes by leaving the audience to ponder the immediate implications of her decision and the broader societal issue.

• Psychological Impact: The core of the plot lies in portraying the profound psychological impact of such encounters on women, even when they don't escalate into physical harm.

Director's Vision

Debbie Howard's vision for Safe was deeply personal and socially driven.

• Authentic Portrayal of Trauma: Howard stated that the film was "born out of the countless distressing encounters that I, along with every woman I know, have faced." She aimed to portray the "profound trauma these situations inflict, even when no overt crime is committed."

• Highlighting Subtle Harassment: A key goal was to "shine a light on the everyday microaggressions and experiences that can be hard to explain to others but leave a lasting impact on women's sense of safety." She wanted to show the "fear and the threat, without an assault taking place," demonstrating how "threatening and intimidating behaviour can be quite subtle."

• Sparking Conversation: Howard explicitly wanted the film to "open up a vital conversation about the subtle but deeply ingrained fears women are forced to contend with regularly in public spaces," and to "prompt essential conversations about the constant vigilance women must maintain."

• Female-Centric Production: She emphasized the importance of having a predominantly female-led HODs (Heads of Department) and crew, as "every woman on the shoot had their own direct experience with this situation in some form or another," enhancing the authenticity of the storytelling.

• Educational Purpose: Howard hopes to partner with organizations like Rape Crisis and Know the Line, and even screen the film in schools, to raise awareness among young people.

Themes

• Women's Safety and Vigilance: The central theme revolves around the constant, often invisible, mental labor women expend to ensure their personal safety in daily life, particularly in public spaces.

• Subtle Harassment and Microaggressions: The film meticulously explores how seemingly innocuous behaviors can escalate into deeply unsettling and threatening interactions, highlighting the pervasive nature of non-overt harassment.

• Psychological Impact of Fear: It delves into the profound emotional and psychological trauma that these experiences can inflict, even in the absence of physical violence or overt crime.

• Boundaries of Respect and Consent: By portraying a situation where a line is implicitly but clearly crossed, the film urges audiences to reflect on what constitutes respectful interaction and where boundaries lie.

• The Difficulty of Explanation: It addresses the challenge women face in articulating and validating these ambiguous yet distressing encounters to law enforcement or even loved ones.

• Sisterhood and Shared Experience: The film was intentionally made with a predominantly female crew, reflecting the shared, often unspoken, experiences of women navigating public spaces.

Key Success Factors

• Authenticity and Relatability: The film resonates deeply with audiences, particularly women, due to its highly authentic portrayal of a widely shared, yet often under-discussed, experience.

• Skilled Direction and Tension Building: Debbie Howard's "intelligent, non-showy direction" masterfully sustains tension and a sense of claustrophobia, immersing viewers in Anne's mounting dread.

• Strong Performances: Laura Bayston's portrayal of Anne as "Everywoman" and James Nelson-Joyce's "brilliantly rancid" depiction of the threatening Daz are crucial to the film's impact.

• Social Relevance: The film tackles a critical and timely social issue (women's safety and harassment) that is ripe for discussion, making it "vital" and a powerful conversation starter.

• Award Recognition: Its numerous awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay at BAFTA-qualifying festivals, validate its artistic merit and widespread impact.

• Female-Led Production: The collaborative and personally informed approach of a predominantly female crew contributes significantly to the film's nuanced and empathetic portrayal.

Awards and Nominations

Safe (2023) has received significant recognition and numerous awards on the film festival circuit:

• Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2023 (BAFTA-qualifying):

  • Winner: Best Director (Debbie Howard)

  • Winner: Best Screenplay (Debbie Howard)

• Wimbledon Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Best UK Film

• Oxford Shorts Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Best Director

  • Nominated: Best Actress (Laura Bayston)

• Imagine This Women's Film Festival, New York 2024:

  • Winner: Best Drama

• Short and Sweet Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Best Film 'Made in Yorkshire'

• Seville Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Best Actor (James Nelson-Joyce)

• Short Focus Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Silver Frame - Best Picture

• Bradford International Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Best Over 50s Film

• 16 Days 16 Films 2024:

  • Winner: Audience Award

• Soho London Film Festival 2025:

  • Winner: Best Director

  • Nominated: Best Drama, Best Social Impact Film, Best Actor (James Nelson-Joyce), Best Actress (Laura J Bayston)

• Female Voices Rock, New York, 2025:

  • Winner: Best Drama

The film has also been an official selection at over 50 film festivals worldwide.

Critics Reception

Critical reception for Safe (2023) has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers highlighting its powerful and nuanced portrayal of a pervasive social issue.

• Directors Notes: Praised it as "A Woman Endures the Silent Harassment of an Outwardly Innocuous Everyday Encounter," noting how Howard "immerses audiences in the mounting dread, emphasising how seemingly harmless moments can suddenly turn threatening." They called it a film that "opens up a vital conversation."

• The Star: Noted that the film "shows women's vigilance to their personal safety in day-to-day life," and successfully portrays "the fear and the threat, without an assault taking place."

• Caution Spoilers (225 Film Club Official Selection Review): Gave it an impressive 9.55 score, calling it a "hard watch" despite its short length. They commended Laura Bayston's performance as Anne as "impressive... as Everywoman" and James Nelson-Joyce's as "brilliantly rancid." They stated, "This film managed the incredibly challenging feat of sustaining its tension and sense of claustrophobia until the very final frame."

• Harry MacQueen (Writer/Director of Supernova): Provided a strong endorsement, calling it "Thrilling, vital and elegant - it is simple and uncluttered in all the best ways. This is a film full of nuance and commitment on both sides of the camera."

Overall Summary: Critics commend Safe for its intelligent direction, compelling performances, and its ability to create a profound sense of tension and unease through subtle means. It is widely recognized as a vital and authentic film that effectively addresses the often-unseen realities of everyday harassment, prompting important societal reflection.

Reviews

Audience reviews for Safe (2023), primarily gathered through its festival circuit screenings and subsequent online availability, are highly positive, consistently echoing the critical praise.

• Resonance with Women: Many female viewers express profound resonance with the film, noting that it accurately captures experiences they themselves have faced. This relatability makes the film impactful and validating.

• Conversation Starter for Men: Some male viewers have reported gaining a new understanding of the subtle fears women navigate, particularly after watching the film with female companions, leading to significant conversations.

• Emotional Impact: Audiences praise the film's ability to create a palpable sense of dread and anxiety, making it a "hard watch" but a necessary one, despite its short runtime.

• Appreciation for Nuance: Viewers appreciate that the film avoids overt violence, instead focusing on the psychological tension, allowing the audience to truly feel Anne's discomfort.

Overall Summary: Reviews indicate that Safe is a highly effective and impactful film that strikes a chord with its audience, particularly women, by authentically portraying the unsettling reality of everyday harassment. It serves as a powerful conversation starter and a testament to the power of nuanced storytelling.

Production Summary

Safe (2023) is a BFI Network-funded short drama film, produced by Big Buddha Films and Wellington Films. It was written and directed by Debbie Howard, with Rachel Robey and Al Clark serving as producers, and Laura Bayston and James Nelson-Joyce in the starring roles. The film was notably made with a predominantly female crew.

Production Companies

• Big Buddha Films

• Wellington Films

• BFI Network (funding support)

• Violence Reduction Unit at South Yorkshire Police (small grant)

• Lush (additional funding)

• Crowdfunding campaign

Sales Companies

As a short film primarily distributed through film festivals and digital platforms, there isn't a traditional "sales company" model. Distribution is managed through digital rights and festival screenings.

Distribution Companies

• Amazon Prime Video

• Vimeo

• Various Film Festivals worldwide

Release date on streaming

Safe (2023) became available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Vimeo following its extensive film festival run, which began in late 2023 and continued into 2024/2025.

Theatrical Release

Safe (2023) did not have a traditional theatrical release. It premiered and was primarily screened as part of its extensive film festival circuit, starting in late 2023.

Why to recommend this movie

• Essential Viewing for Social Awareness: It offers a raw, authentic, and crucial insight into the everyday fears and subtle harassment experienced by women, sparking vital conversations about consent, boundaries, and safety.

• Masterful Tension Building: Debbie Howard's direction creates an incredibly tense and claustrophobic atmosphere through subtle means, demonstrating how psychological dread can be as impactful as overt violence.

• Powerful Performances: Laura Bayston and James Nelson-Joyce deliver compelling portrayals that make the unsettling scenario feel incredibly real and impactful.

• Award-Winning Quality: Its numerous festival awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, underscore its artistic merit and the importance of its message.

• Female Perspective: Made with a predominantly female crew, the film offers an empathetic and nuanced perspective on an issue that is deeply personal to many women.

Why to Watch Movie

• To gain empathy and understanding: It provides a visceral experience of a common, yet often invisible, struggle many women face daily, fostering greater empathy and awareness.

• If you appreciate subtle, psychological thrillers: The film excels at building tension and discomfort without relying on overt violence, focusing instead on psychological menace.

• For excellent acting and direction in a short format: Witness masterful storytelling and performances compressed into a powerful, impactful runtime.

• To support socially relevant cinema: This film is a prime example of art used to shed light on important societal issues and spark necessary dialogue.

• If you're interested in women's stories: It's a female-centric narrative that authentically portrays an aspect of women's lives rarely given such focused attention on screen.

Movie Trend

Impactful Social Commentary in Short Film Format & Female-Centric Narratives: Safe exemplifies the growing trend of short films being used as powerful vehicles for social commentary, particularly on issues affecting women. These films often gain significant traction on the festival circuit, allowing them to reach diverse audiences and spark important discussions. It also aligns with the broader trend of female-centric storytelling and female-led productions, ensuring authentic perspectives on gendered experiences.

Social Trend

Heightened Awareness of Women's Safety and Microaggressions: The film directly taps into the ongoing and increasingly vocal social trend surrounding women's safety in public spaces and the recognition of microaggressions as forms of harassment. Sparked by movements like #MeToo and broader feminist discourse, there's a growing societal demand for acknowledging, understanding, and addressing the pervasive, often subtle, ways in which women's sense of security is undermined. Safe contributes significantly to this crucial conversation.

Final Verdict

Safe (2023) by Debbie Howard is an exceptionally potent and necessary short film. It takes a seemingly mundane encounter and masterfully transforms it into a gripping and unsettling experience, perfectly capturing the silent fear and constant vigilance that define many women's lives. Through its authentic portrayal, intelligent direction, and powerful performances, the film transcends its short runtime to deliver an impactful and unforgettable message. Safe is not just a film; it's a vital catalyst for empathy and discussion, deserving of its numerous accolades and widespread attention.

Recommendations for film makers

• Embrace Nuance in Storytelling: For sensitive topics, prioritize subtle and psychological tension over overt depiction of violence to create a more profound and unsettling impact.

• Authenticity through Experience: Draw upon real-life experiences and consult with relevant organizations or affected communities to ensure your portrayal of social issues is deeply authentic and resonant.

• Value Short Form for Impact: Recognize the power of the short film format to deliver concise, high-impact messages that can effectively spark conversations and raise awareness on critical social issues.

• Cultivate a Diverse Crew: Actively seek out and empower diverse voices behind the camera, as their lived experiences can significantly enrich the storytelling, particularly for identity-focused narratives.

• Focus on Relatable Emotions: Even without explicit plot points, focus on conveying universal human emotions like fear, anxiety, and vulnerability to connect with a broad audience.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Invest in Socially Relevant Shorts: Actively fund and distribute short films that tackle important social issues, understanding their potent ability to educate, provoke thought, and influence public discourse.

• Support Female Filmmakers: Continue to prioritize and champion female directors, writers, and crew members, enabling them to tell stories with authentic perspectives, particularly on issues that uniquely affect women.

• Promote Discussion and Outreach: Partner with advocacy groups, educational institutions, and community organizations to leverage films like "Safe" as tools for dialogue, awareness campaigns, and driving real-world change.

• Recognize Festival Success: Give greater visibility and distribution opportunities to films that gain significant traction and awards on the festival circuit, as this indicates critical and audience appreciation.

• Broaden Distribution Channels: Explore and utilize diverse platforms (streaming, VOD, educational screenings) to ensure that impactful films with important messages reach the widest possible audience beyond traditional theatrical models.