Dead on the Vine Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

This low-budget indie thriller by the North East writer/director recounts a contained dramatic crime tale, with intriguing twists & turns. 

Genre: Drama / Thriller  

Director: Mark A.C. Brown

Cast: David Whitney, Shereener Browne, Tom Sawyer, Victoria Johnston, Kate Robbins, Thea Balich & Eddie Arnold.

Run Time: 87 min.

US Release: 13 May 2025 (DVD)

UK Release: N/A

German Release: N/A

Having already won three categories at the 2022 Smodcastle Film Festival, plus having won Best Film, Director, as well as Actor and Actress at the Unrestricted View Film Festival in London, I immediately jumped at the possibility to review this small indie flick when regisseur Mark A.C. Brown approached me on Instagram. Death on the Vine is a smart, complex thriller with a dramatic core. It contains a few flaws, but it is definitely worth watching. So, follow me as we wind through my review to distil this movie.  

Ellis and Drayton are on their way back to London after having completed a job. Things go wrong when Drayton has an epileptic seizure, forcing Ellis to stop at a vineyard owned by Joni and Cora. As further people arrive, the duo's lies begin to unravel.

The screenplay, written by Brown himself, is the feature’s strongest aspect, having been produced over two months, during the first lockdown easing of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the claustrophobic anxiousness of the pandemic era is reflected in the plot, using an isolated vineyard as an enclosed setting, in which all four protagonists find themselves trapped, though due to different circumstances.

Opening with a short over-the-shoulder shot, where one of the main characters is looking out into the sea, the story throws viewers right into the middle of things, as the following jump cut introduces us to Ellis and Dreyton driving in a car. Nothing is said as the latter experiences a seizure, with Elis forced to pull over at the next possible resting stop. The opening segment alone creates intrigue, as well as a concern for their well-being. It also sets up an unexpected event by placing the two friends at the co-owned vineyard of Joni and Cora.

Equally, the two ladies running the hotel-winery are immediately likeable. Joni, due to her naive attitude, is ready to help someone in need immediately, while Cora, more due to her sharp wit, questions the motives of these two strangers, who stumbled upon their establishment. 

From here on out, the narrative moves at a steady pace, as revelations come to light plus lies are being unearthed. The isolated surroundings create a psychological, emotional pressure pot, ready to explode at any time. To prevent this from happening, deals are being struck to keep the two opposing teams safe, at least for a while, because as the day moves forward, stakes increase, threatening the delicate balance that has been struck to this point. These threats feel like natural causes with an effect. 

The dialogue, on the other hand, can occasionally sound overly theatrical, especially during the first fifteen to twenty minutes. Nevertheless, it quickly finds its footing once the main revelations have been uncovered. Humour is implemented into conversations, though it doesn’t always stick the landing.

The compact cast gives realistic renditions of their characters, especially Kate Robbins, who sweeps in during the last act, at times even stealing the spotlight, as the quick-witted investor Eva. That said, the line delivery is not always on point, at times sounding a little soap-opera-ish, but given the short production time, it's just nitpicking.

David Whitney gives a nuanced performance as the primary lead, Ellis, who is instantly likeable through his tender being, behind his rough exterior. However, his true motives are put in question when specific angles are uncovered; as such, his sentimentality could be viewed as genuine or manipulative.

Joni, played by Victoria Johnston, gives at first the impression of being a naive, yet ever so joyful host, with a helper syndrome, springing immediatley into action when Ellis appears with an unconscious Drayton, without questioning his explanations. Once the plot progresses, she proves that she is willing to do what it takes to secure her and Cora’s safety, just like their vineyard's future.

Tom Sawyer gives a raw physical performance as Drayton, who is the unhinged component of the four leads. Partially psychotic, Drayton is unpredictable as his aggressive breakouts create unease. Yet he maintains enough humanity for audiences to feel sorry for him.  

Shereener Browne is the standout of the quartet. Her character Cora is mistrusting, due to her past experiences, giving her a sixth sense for brewing trouble. Cora is charged with terrifying fright, yet maintains a calmness as she takes charge of the rapidly deteriorating situation, which is brought to life by a terrific performance of Browne. 

The camera work, by BBC cinematographer Kieran Coyle, is effective! Given its tight schedule, a spider-dolly was used for commodity and agility, while the DP used his own Sony A7S with a mounted 35mm lens to capture intimate portrait shots, highlighting the story's claustrophobic atmosphere. The 4K recording provided further depth plus texture to the final picture, while the natural light and colour add a realistic touch. That said, there are a couple of unusual angles used during close-ups that disrupted immersion. 

The gorgeous landscaped scenes, capturing the vast grape fields and surrounding woods, give it a rural, nearly wild setting, aiding a foreboding of lawlessness. At the same time, the warmth of the dark brown wood of the winery is inviting, juxtaposing with the large nothingness of the English countryside. 

The music, composed by Ian Arber, who uses the string works of Julia Owczarek, is beautifully moody, giving the whole indie feature a nearly ethereal touch. The sound design adds eerie squeals for shock value.

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Verdict: If you are a cinephile, you should give this smaller production a chance! The Mark A.C. Brown directed indie thriller opens with an intriguing mystery as our two unlike duos meet due to a medical emergency, without ever revealing anything about the two male leads. Once their secrets come to light, the atmosphere shifts to a more dramatic thriller, with a tight, claustrophobic grip. Advances are made to break the suspense with comedy, but not all jokes land. The dialogues struggle to find a specific tone at the beginning; however, it becomes better once the cat is out of the bag. The cinematography adds layers to the anxiety-induced tone, with intimate close-ups, while the performances, especially by Sawyer and Shereener, are strong. Dead on the Vine will see further upcoming screenings in Scotland and England, and had its release on DVD in the US in mid-May this year. It fully deserves a 7.0  out of 10. 

Releases for screenings are planned at Easdale Arts Festival on August 1st, at Highland Cinema during 27/28 September & at Edgehill Arts Centre in Liverpool 16th of October, with more dates added in the coming weeks. If you get a chance, go watch it! Support this fun, independent thriller!