Straightheads

The narrative takes place in a contemporary setting, with modern technology shaping the suspense: a laptop-controlled security system, CCTV, and everyday mobility. The mood and devices situate the story in a recent era, bridging urban and rural spaces within a single timeline. The events unfold over roughly one month after the assault, followed by a night of violent retaliation.

The action unfolds across intimate domestic spaces and transitional outdoor locations in Britain. It begins in Alice Comfort's urban flat with a rooftop garden, moves through a housewarming party and a long drive, and culminates in rural settings around Heffer's home and Alice's father's country house. Key confrontations occur in Heffer's garage and the countryside road, highlighting the tension between safe, private spaces and violent intrusion. The settings juxtapose everyday comfort with brutal, escalating violence.

⚖️ Revenge and moral ambiguity

Revenge drives the plot as Alice and Adam pursue punitive justice for the assault. Their plan forces them to confront what they are willing to become and the repercussions of taking the law into their own hands. The film blurs lines between victim, avenger, and perpetrator, raising questions about whether violence can restore balance or merely perpetuate harm.

💔 Trauma and healing

Both protagonists carry deep emotional scars from the rape, shaping their behavior and decisions. The story follows their attempts to heal while fear and memory influence trust, safety, and power dynamics. It explores how trauma reshapes relationships and the path toward recovery is fraught with moral compromise.

🔥 Female agency and moral choice

Alice’s and Adam’s decisions reveal the complexity of agency after violence. Alice wavers between mercy and resolve, showing that mercy can coexist with force, while recognizing the cost of vengeance. The narrative scrutinizes the consequences of vigilantism and whether taking justice into one's own hands truly delivers liberation or deeper wound.