Over the last year I’ve been developing Straw, a folk horror comedy short film set in Scotland. It’s a project that’s grown and reshaped itself many times, but is now heading towards production this autumn.
What is Straw?
At its heart, Straw is about a young man who returns to the remote cult he grew up in — this time bringing his friends along as support. What follows is a clash of identities, rituals, and family ties.
Tonally, the film blends dark comedy and folk horror. If you imagine The Wicker Man or Midsommar, but told from the cult’s point of view, you’re getting close. These aren’t monsters or supernatural forces, just people who are convinced they’re doing the right thing — even if their methods are… questionable.
How It Started
The idea first came to life when I began working with Jamie MacColl, who also stars as the lead character, Alistair Straw. At one point, we even developed the concept as a dark sitcom — something in the vein of Barry, with a cult member trying to adapt to the modern world.
After some pitching and a few near misses with funding bodies, it became clear the best path forward was to make Straw as a short film. That decision reconnected me with the DIY side of filmmaking I’d started with: finding a way to tell the story no matter what.
Finding the Right Tone
Tone is crucial to Straw. I’ve always been drawn to films that slip between genres, especially in Korean cinema — directors like Bong Joon-ho (Memories of Murder, The Host) and Na Hong-jin (The Wailing) who can shift from humour to dread without losing emotional impact.
That’s the energy we’re chasing: genuine horror, grounded characters, and moments of humour that come from the situation rather than undercutting it.
Where We Are Now
With a location nearly locked, we’re moving into casting, design, and building the team. Autumn feels like the right season for this story — the weather, the light, and the landscape all lend themselves to the unsettling atmosphere we want to create.
Straw follows on from my recent short films, including Behind (currently in post-production for festivals in 2026) and Midgies (a horror comedy that went viral with over one million views). Together, they mark a run of projects exploring horror, absurdity, and the way comedy and fear can live side by side.