The new British film “The State of Us” made its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 14, 2026. The movie comes from first-time directors Ollie Gardner and Jake Harvey. It tells the story of two childhood friends who go on one final night out together. One of them is living in a hospice with terminal cancer. The other breaks him out for a night of fun and chaos.
The movie runs for 90 minutes. It stars Samuel Bottomley and Callum Scott Howells in the lead roles. The film also features Frances Barber, Safia Oakley-Green, Seamus O’Hara, and Sunetra Sarker in supporting parts.
A Simple Story About Friendship and Goodbye
Frankie (Samuel Bottomley) is a young man who has had a rough life. He lost his mother as a child. His father was not around to raise him. Taylor’s family took him in, and the two boys grew up like brothers. But something happened between them. When the movie starts, they have not seen each other for some time.
Taylor (Callum Scott Howells) is living in a hospice. He has terminal cancer and does not have much time left. Frankie spends many nights sitting outside the hospice in his car. He wants to go inside but cannot find the courage.
One night, Frankie finally makes a move. He breaks into the hospice through a window. He gets Taylor out without even saying hello properly. The two friends set off on one wild night in Bradford, England. They try to forget about the future. They want to live in the moment.
The night includes laughter, tears, and some hard truths. Frankie wants to have fun and act like nothing is wrong. Taylor tries to keep his friend grounded. The movie shows how grief and acceptance play out in a male friendship.
Strong Performances from Rising Stars
The movie works because of the two lead actors. Samuel Bottomley plays Frankie. He was in the film “How to Have Sex”. Callum Scott Howells plays Taylor. He is known for the TV series “It’s a Sin”.
Critics have praised both actors for their work. The Variety review says the performances are “spirited” and “lively”. The review notes that Bottomley and Howells keep a “key sense of hard-times kinship and tension” in their characters’ bond.
Another review from Cinema Perspective calls their performances “superb”. The site says the actors show both volatility and vulnerability. They make the friendship feel real and honest.
The movie also features a standout performance from Safia Oakley-Green. She plays Rosie in the film. One Letterboxd user said she “steals the entire film as Rosie”.
A Familiar Story Told with Heart
The plot of “The State of Us” is not completely new. The Variety review points out that the movie uses some familiar ideas. The image of a character standing up in a car with arms outstretched is a cliché. It has been seen in movies like “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and the TV show “Euphoria”.
But the film gets away with it. The reason is the characters themselves. Frankie and Taylor are chasing the kind of life they have seen in American youth movies. Their real life is very different.
The movie mixes British social realism with moments of Hollywood-style sentiment. It has the downbeat feel of a Ken Loach film. But it also has some contrived moments that feel like a bigger movie.
The Variety review says the result is “not always convincing” but “far more consistently likable”. The Cinema Perspective review agrees. It says the directors walk a “tricky tonal tightrope”. They mix dark humor with a sad situation.
The movie has been described as a “buddy comedy”. But it is also a drama about life and death. One review calls it “witty and wise”. Another says it has “vigour, life and optimism” even though the premise is heartbreaking.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
Ollie Gardner and Jake Harvey are making their feature debut with this film. They both directed the movie. Harvey also wrote the screenplay.
The film was produced by Pippa Cross, Jake Harvey, and Dylan Rees. The editing was done by Chris Gill and Abi Wright. Gill has worked on films like “Kneecap” and “28 Days Later”.
The music for the film comes from Tom Ogden. He is the lead singer of the band Blossoms. One review calls his score “standout”. A Letterboxd user was surprised to see him at the premiere.
The movie was shot in Bradford, England. The running time is a tight 90 minutes. The fast pacing helps the story move along.
Release and Festival Run
“The State of Us” had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 14, 2026. It played in the main competition section.
The movie is currently making the festival rounds. The Variety review suggests that theatrical prospects are modest. But the film has strong potential for streaming and broadcast.
The movie is expected to please crowds at smaller festivals. It has already received positive attention from critics and audiences who saw it in Edinburgh.
What Critics Are Saying
The reviews for “The State of Us” have been mostly positive. The Variety review gives the film credit for its performances. The review says the movie is “winningly sweet-natured”. It calls the film a “likable debut”.
The Cinema Perspective review is also favorable. It calls the movie an “impressive first outing” for the directors. The review says the film deals with challenging themes with “wit, charm, and a lightness of touch”.
Audience reactions on Letterboxd have been strong. One user called the film “true art” and praised the “screen chemistry” between Howells and Bottomley. Another user said the movie had them “sobbing at 10am at work”.
The movie has been praised for its honest portrayal of male friendship. It shows two friends dealing with extreme circumstances. The film explores grief and acceptance in a fresh way.
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A Debut That Shows Promise
“The State of Us” is a strong first film from Gardner and Harvey. The directors have created a movie that balances sadness with humor. They have found a way to tell a story about death without making it too heavy.
The film benefits from its cast. Bottomley and Howells bring energy and emotion to their roles. They make the audience care about Frankie and Taylor. The supporting cast also adds depth to the story.
The movie may not break new ground in terms of plot. But it handles familiar material with skill. The Yorkshire setting gives the film a grounded feel. The working-class context adds to the realism.
For fans of British independent cinema, “The State of Us” is worth watching. It offers a mix of comedy and drama that feels genuine. The film shows that even in the face of loss, there can be moments of joy.
The movie is currently available to see at film festivals. A wider release has not been announced yet. But the positive reviews suggest that more audiences will get to see it soon.
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