Filmmaker David Campion captures the messy spirit of young adulthood in the British indie film Straight Through Crew. Set in a nondescript town in the U.K., Straight Through Crew combines the best of wistful nostalgia, reckless abandon, and intimate vulnerability. Campion’s film takes place on Christmas Eve; however, this is as much a “Christmas film” as The Gremlins. That is to say, it is quite unconventional for a holiday movie. No matter the season, the impact of Straight Through Crew is rich and palpable, and easily relatable among millennials.

An Unexpected Visit Brings Up Very Unexpected Feelings

A group of friends reconnect at a Christmas Eve rave and find themselves navigating through a haze of party drugs and unresolved emotions. This combo allows feelings to flow freely, but Aden (Charles Craddock) quickly discovers that’s not always a good thing. When we meet Aden, he’s in rough shape. Not quite in the headspace for the night ahead of him, he becomes somewhat of a liability to his mates and girlfriend, Fran (Georgia Macleod). His outlook on the night changes when he sees his ex-girlfriend, Jamie (Jessica Pearce), whom he still has feelings for. Making a surprise appearance away from her new life in London, Jamie spots Aden amidst the strobe lights and cigarette smoke, and they unknowingly set in motion a chain of events that will redefine their dynamic, as well as the night ahead.

The supporting characters have their own emotionally dense storylines. However, Aden and Jamie’s revisiting of their former relationship is the crux of the film. He is the boy from their hometown who never left, and she is the one who took a risk and left it all behind. Yet they are still very present in each other’s memories. This psychological tendency to not just reminisce about but glamorize hometown relationships is perfectly captured here.

A Contemporary Tale About Rural Hedonism

For the young adults in this small town, life is slow. Many people are either looking for the next adventure or trying to avoid reality altogether through alcohol and drugs. At the end of the day, all anyone wants is to experience and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. The end of Straight Through Crew mirrors this desire by offering a poignant reflection on life in the present moment. Says director David Campion, “I hit my thirties and had one of those pre mid-life crisis moments – I lost my father, had a few panic attacks and realised I hadn’t made a film in a while. The world felt like a hellfire, so I started writing something comforting and close to my heart. The events in the film are drawn from my own experiences. I wanted to capture the energy of youth and hedonism, but inject it with the sadness I felt at the time.”

Takeaway

Making its World Premiere at the Manchester International Film Festival, you don’t need to wait until the holiday season to check out this indie film. Straight Through Crew is available on Prime Video in the US and UK.