Restless (2024), the feature debut from Jed Hart, is a British psychological thriller that transforms the all-too-relatable horror of neighborly noise into a claustrophobic portrait of anxiety, rage, and desperation. Led by Lyndsey Marshal in a riveting central portrayal, the film starts strong—but an implausible final act leaves it stumbling.
What Works
Lyndsey Marshal’s extraordinary lead
Marshal delivers a performance that captures her character Nicky’s descent from quietly routine life into psychological collapse with nuance and authenticity. Her portrayal of sleep deprivation, emotional fatigue, and rage feels tangible and sympathetic.
Terrifyingly realistic premise
With Deano (Aston McAuley), the loud, inconsiderate neighbor, Hart taps into a fear many viewers know all too well. The escalation—from pounding music to outright intimidation—is unsettlingly true-to-life.
Effective sound design & tone buildup
The film’s auditory landscape—thudding bass, muffled screaming, household objects trembling—pulls you into Nicky’s headspace. Hart builds tension gradually and precisely, blending subtle humor with mounting dread.
What Doesn’t
A second-half tone shift that undercuts plausibility
Once the film transitions from simmering tension to outright revenge fantasy, credibility falls apart. Collider and others note the narrative becomes absurdly violent and tonally inconsistent—Nicky evolves into a one-note avenger, and key plot developments feel contrived.
Convenient climax & problematic dynamics
The ending hinges on unlikely coincidences that resolve the story too neatly, breaking the realism established earlier. Some reviewers flagged scenes that unintentionally reinforce unfortunate racial dynamics, muddying what could've been a smart critique of suburban power structures.
Underdeveloped secondary characters
While Nicky and Deano are richly drawn, supporting figures—like Nicky’s would-be suitor Kev (Barry Ward)—remain sketchily portrayed. Their inclusion feels more functional than fleshed out, limiting emotional complexity.
Final Verdict
Restless begins as a claustrophobic slow-burn of psychological disintegration and class-based conflict, elevated by a compelling central performance and immersive craftsmanship. But as it spirals into a revenge-driven narrative, it loses focus: the final act feels jarringly cartoonish, undermining the quiet dread built earlier.
For viewers drawn to character-based thrillers with strong lead performances and atmospheric tension, the first hour is undeniably gripping. But those wanting thematic coherence and believable escalation may find the payoff disappointing.