“Heading Home” is the story of an obsessed scientist, his curious wife, and an experiment with extraordinary results. Adapted from British horror writer Ramsey Campbell’s work of the same title, the short film makes use of interesting visuals to re-create the tale. Director Jane Rose, a veteran of several other shorts including “The Statement of Randolph Carter”, was so moved by her exposure to Campbell’s writing that she chose to film this version.
The cast is limited to three primary roles, with each of the actors overdoing it just slightly, by design. The story, and the film, is striking to younger audiences; providing a good launch pad for early exposure to the genre. Rose takes a more widespread perspective to tell her version than Campbell, who isolates a single point-of-view in his writing. Due to the luxury of his medium, Campbell has the ability to deliver more context, making for a more effective delivery of the powerful ending.
“Heading Home” was a selection of the 2006 H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival, and the 2006 Pretty-Scary Film Festival. Rose continues to show a flair for effect with the macabre. It should be interesting to watch as she engages with more projects and expands her portfolio.
For a word on Rose’s other works, check out the Horrorview review of Biff Juggernaut’s “LovecraCked! The Movie”.
