THE THING WITH FEATHERS

Decode
Written By Jeff Igbokwe

A grief stricken father tries to raise his sons whilst dealing with an unwanted and unpredictable house guest.

The Thing with Feathers, Dylan Southern

Dimly lit scenes, intimate 4:3 framing, and a mournful, fragmented score define the look and feel of this story. A sensory portrait that makes the grief feel tangible. The Thing with Feathers (2025), is anchored by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose portrayal of a grief-stricken “Sad Dad” combines raw emotion with measured ferocity, delivering each outburst and muted moment of mourning with a precise, haunting effect. 

Crow’s eerie presence looms over almost every scene, becoming the embodiment of grief’s unpredictable menace, forcing both the characters and audience to confront loss in a palpable, unsettling way. Despite the strong visuals and performances, the film struggles to decide whether it wants to be a horror flick or an emotional drama. This tonal uncertainty, compounded by unnecessary jump scares, that feel tacked on rather than earned, undercuts the momentum.


★ ★ ★ ★

Release Date: October 24th 2025
Director(s): Dylan Southern
Written: Dylan Southern
Producers: Andrea Cornwell, Leah Clarke, Adam Ackland
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Eric Lampaert, Sam Spruell
Distributor: Vue Lumiere
Runtime: 98 minutes

Jeff Igbokwe
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