Treading Water (2024) by Gino Evans: A Glimmer of Hope in a World of Despair

Short Summary: An Authentic Glimpse into Addiction and Mental Health Fresh out of prison and struggling with heroin addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Danny is trying to rebuild his life in a Manchester halfway house. His journey is complicated when he reconnects with his former flame, Laura, a sex worker with her own difficult past. As their lives become dangerously intertwined, Danny is forced to confront his demons and find a way to navigate a world that seems stacked against him.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21025204/

Link Review:https://thepeoplesmovies.com/treading-water-review/

About movie: https://bignorthfilms.co.uk/

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/treading-water-2025 (UK)

Detailed Summary: A Battle Against Inner and Outer Demons

• The film, set against the backdrop of Manchester, follows Danny, a young man recently released from prison. He is living in a halfway house, determined to get clean and turn his life around.

• Danny's efforts are complicated by his severe OCD and intrusive thoughts, which often drive him to self-destructive behaviors, including drug use. The film uses a unique visual and audio style to put the audience inside Danny's head, showing his inner turmoil and constant anxiety.

• While trying to score drugs, he runs into his old friend Laura, who is now a sex worker. A romance rekindles between them, but it's a complicated one, as Laura is dealing with an abusive boyfriend and an unplanned pregnancy.

• Their relationship becomes a source of both hope and danger. As they try to build a life together, they are repeatedly pulled back into a world of addiction, violence, and despair. The film is a raw and authentic portrayal of their struggle to find a way out of their difficult circumstances.

Director's Vision: The Unflinching Reality of Life on the Margins

• Director Gino Evans’s vision for Treading Water was to create a realistic and compassionate portrait of life on the margins of contemporary British society. He wanted to tell a story that felt authentic, raw, and unglamorous.

• Evans, in his feature debut, drew inspiration from his experiences working with people in supported housing. His goal was to show that individuals struggling with addiction and mental health are not defined by their issues, but are fully-realized characters with agency and depth.

• A key part of the director's vision was to use a specific cinematic style to immerse the audience in the protagonist's emotional state. The film employs "claustrophobic closeup shots," "adjusted audio levels that amplify the smallest noises," and sudden transitions to "communicate Danny’s fraught emotional state and contextualize his actions without justifying them."

• Evans also utilized improvisation, particularly in the scenes between Danny and Laura, to add a sense of authenticity and naturalism to their interactions. This approach helped to create a film that feels both "hilarious and heartbreaking" at the same time.

Themes: Hope and Despair in the Face of Adversity

• Addiction and Mental Health: A central theme of the film is the difficult, intertwined relationship between addiction and mental health. The film sensitively portrays how Danny's OCD and intrusive thoughts are both a cause and effect of his drug use, and it shows the constant uphill battle he faces every day.

• The Lack of Opportunity: The film is a compassionate look at the systemic issues that contribute to a cycle of poverty and addiction in Britain. It shows the lack of opportunity and the difficult circumstances faced by those living in supported housing and on the streets of Manchester.

• The Search for Human Connection: Despite the grim subject matter, the film is a story about the search for human connection and a sense of belonging. The relationship between Danny and Laura, though complicated, is a source of hope and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, people can find solace in each other.

• Breaking the Cycle: The film is a powerful story about the desire to break free from a self-destructive cycle. Danny and Laura are both trying to escape their pasts, and the film follows their struggle, showing that while it may not be easy, it is not impossible.

Key Success Factors: An Authentic and Immersive Experience

• Powerful Performances: The film's success is largely due to the understated and authentic performances of Joe Gill as Danny and Becky Bowe as Laura. Their natural on-screen chemistry and ability to portray the nuances of their characters' struggles are what make the film so compelling.

• Innovative Cinematography: The film's immersive style, which puts the audience directly into the protagonist's perspective, is a major success factor. The use of sound design, camera work, and sudden cuts effectively conveys the reality of living with OCD and intrusive thoughts.

• A Gritty, Realistic Story: The film is praised for its realism and its willingness to tackle a difficult subject without glamorizing it. The gritty, hard-hitting nature of the film, combined with moments of genuine humor and humanity, is a key reason for its appeal.

Awards & Nominations: A Promising Debut at Film Festivals Treading Water was screened at the BFI London Film Festival in 2024. While it may not have won any major awards, its selection for the festival is a testament to its quality and its potential.

Critics Reception: A Raw and Hard-Hitting Drama

• The Upcoming: Praised the film for its "sensitive" depiction of mental health, stating that it "successfully navigates this complicated narrative territory." The review highlighted the film's editing and sound design, which "work overtime to put its audience in Danny's shoes."

• THE HNS: Described the film as a "brutal but authentic story about addiction and compulsions," calling it "both hilarious and heartbreaking." The review praised the script's authenticity and the stand-out performances of the lead actors.

• Film Focus Online: Called the film a "strong, hard-hitting and real feature debut" and a "gritty gut-punch." While acknowledging a potentially overstretched runtime, the review praised the film's authenticity and Joe Gill's "stellar turn" as the lead.

Overall Summary: Critical reception for Treading Water is very positive. Critics praise the film for its authenticity, its compassionate and realistic portrayal of addiction and mental health, and its innovative use of cinematography to create an immersive experience. The film is seen as a confident and promising debut from director Gino Evans.

Reviews: Not So Grim Up North

• BFI London Film Festival: The BFI program guide highlighted the film as an "authentic Northern voice" that offers a "realistic portrait of the realities of contemporary British life."

• Interviews with the Director: In interviews, Gino Evans has spoken about the inspiration behind the film, and the process of working with his cast, many of whom were young actors who added depth and authenticity to the film with improvised scenes.

Overall Summary: The reviews and discussion around Treading Water highlight its success as an independent British film that provides a raw and honest look at a world often ignored by mainstream cinema. It is seen as a compassionate and authentic story that, despite its dark subject matter, offers a sense of hope.

Why to watch this movie: A Raw and Unflinching Look at Addiction

• A Different Kind of British Drama: If you're looking for a British film that is a far cry from the glossy, commercial dramas, this is a great choice. It's a raw, independent film that feels deeply personal and authentic.

• An Immersive Experience: The film's unique use of sound and visuals to put the audience in the head of a character with OCD is a unique and compelling cinematic experience.

• A Story with Heart: Despite the film's dark and difficult subject matter, it is a story with a lot of heart and humanity. It reminds us that even in the most difficult of circumstances, people can still find hope and connection.

Movie Trend: The Rise of "Social Realism" Treading Water is part of a trend of British films that are focusing on "social realism." These films, often low-budget, tell stories about the struggles of everyday people, focusing on issues like poverty, addiction, and mental health. They are often gritty, raw, and authentic, and they give a voice to a part of the British population that is often overlooked.

Social Trend: The Open Conversation on Mental Health The film taps into the growing social trend of a more open and honest conversation about mental health. By realistically portraying a character with OCD and intrusive thoughts, the film helps to destigmatize these conditions and shows the real-life impact they can have on a person's life.

Final Verdict: A Gripping and Authentic Debut Treading Water is a powerful and unforgettable film that is both a brutal drama and a poignant story of hope. Director Gino Evans has delivered a confident and authentic debut that is carried by a stellar central performance and an innovative visual style. While it is a difficult watch at times, it is a rewarding one, offering a raw and unflinching look at a world that deserves to be seen. It's a highly recommended watch for anyone interested in a film that is as honest as it is compelling.