Kieran Dee’s short film, ‘Hungry Like The Wolf’, is a searing portrait of burnout, friendship, and the quiet chaos of self-destruction. Written by and starring the talented Alan Hall and Gabriel Thomson, and brought to life with a bold, kinetic vision by cinematographer Benjamin Leggett, this British drama delves into the intoxicating highs of excess, the shattering crash back to reality, and the mental turmoil that lingers in its wake.
Cam (Alan Hall) and Adam (Gabriel Thomson) are former music-world darlings now spiraling in a haze of excess. Flatmates and partners in excess, their once-shared dream of artistic success has mutated into a cycle of booze, drugs, nightclubs, and women. They’re no longer creating music – just coasting on the fumes of their past glories. Hall and Thomson bring raw, electric chemistry to the screen, capturing the yin-and-yang tension of two men bound together yet slowly drifting apart.
Cam thrives in their toxic lifestyle, his outgoing and self-centered personality fueling the chaos. Adam, however, is the counterweight: introspective, emotionally expressive, and increasingly suffocated by their indulgent routine. Thomson’s performance as Adam is particularly remarkable – a nuanced portrayal of a man unraveling, his mental health buckling under the strain. The subtle psychological turmoil he conveys is gut-wrenching, pulling the audience into his struggle to find meaning amidst the wreckage.
As Adam begins to retreat, growing disconnected from Cam’s reckless world, the tension between them becomes palpable. Hall’s portrayal of Cam’s brashness contrasts sharply with Adam’s quiet descent, creating a compelling dynamic that keeps you hooked. The film doesn’t offer easy answers, instead immersing the viewer in the messy, often uncomfortable reality of addiction and excess.
Leggett’s cinematography deserves special praise. The night scenes are skilled in mood, with neon-soaked lighting and handheld camera work that give the film a gritty, visceral energy. The shots feel alive, mirroring the frenetic highs and hollow lows of the protagonists’ lives.
‘Hungry Like The Wolf’ is a flawless blend of style and substance. Dee, Hall, and Thomson have crafted a short film that’s as captivating as it is unsettling. It’s a haunting reminder of how easy it is to lose yourself – and how hard it can be to find your way back. Highly recommended viewing.
