By Romey Norton - February 17, 2025
Dark Sky Films brings the mystery-thriller film Lifeline. Starring rising stars Josh Stewart and Juddah Lewis and Directed by Feras Alfuqaha, this film is an intriguing showcase of someone’s past coming back to haunt them.
Set on New Years Eve, the story follows a late-night suicide hotline operator called Steven (Josh Stewart) who receives a disturbing call from someone claiming to be him. It’s a race against time when the caller threatens to end his life within the hour. As the clock is ticking, Steven must confront his deepest fears and uncover the truth before it’s too late to save himself.
It’s an intense start as we see Steven at his job talking to a young suicidal girl on the phone. We hear a few calls, learning that Steven is good in a crisis, he’s calm and can take control but what happens when he gets that one call that’s going to drastically change his life.
With an intriguing storyline Lifeline has a great pace that keeps you guessing and engaged. For example, there are short, small earthquakes that happen around Steven but no one else feels them - his life is literally shaking and falling apart around him and it’s for the audience to figure out why.
Through phone conversations we learn about Steven’s abusive childhood and his toxic upbringing. The film does well in unravelling this information slowly, and making you be active as a viewer, having to piece everything together.
Lifeline is really well shot, with well-thought out props and colours. Set predominantly in one place, Steven’s office/place of work, the colours are a mixture of blues and greys, very calming tones for a stressful job and situation.
Josh Stewart carries most of the film as a lot of the dialogue from other characters is over the phone. He gives a compelling performance, portraying a kind but tired man with honesty.
What I really appreciate about this film is that it is 80 minutes - the film doesn’t stretch any storyline or drag any scene out to make it a full, classic one hour thirty. They tell the story in the appropriate amount of time and it flies by. I was so engrossed I didn’t check my phone or watch, once.
There’s a dramatic twist that gives the final act a strong start, leading to a thought-provoking and fulfilling end.
If you’re looking for a great thriller film, Lifeline is one you need to watch. With themes of death, childhood trauma, suicide, personal growth and forgiveness, the moral is that you can save yourself. You can be your own lifeline.
In select cinemas & digital platforms February 21
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