'Sharkers' Review: A Wild, Psychedelic Ride Through London’s Underbelly
- Romey Norton
- May 3
- 2 min read
By Romey Norton - May 3, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Trainspotting and After Hours had a chaotic, neon-lit lovechild, Sharkers might be your answer. This British dark comedy-thriller, directed by Patrick Chamberlain, plunges viewers into a night of debauchery, self-destruction, and unexpected twists.
Sharkers follows Franky, who is aimless, anxious, and about to find out that a failed threesome is the least of his problems. One bad idea turns into a dozen worse ones, as he stumbles through an increasingly surreal night in London, ricocheting between shady drug deals, hallucinations, and a rogue’s gallery of bizarre characters. It’s part dark comedy, part psychological thriller, and part psychedelic nightmare, all with a distinctively DIY punk edge.
Niki Burton carries the film as Franky, all sweaty tension and misplaced bravado. He gives the character a nervous edge that feels both pathetic and dangerous. The supporting cast adds layers of weirdness, especially the drug dealer who talks like a half-baked philosopher. Lots of gold teeth, too. The whole cast must have had a very fun time on set, especially towards the end. I would not want their cleaning bill.
The script is hilariously filthy and oddly refreshing. Viewers have to understand it’s weird, and it’s a go-with-the-flow film that wants you to laugh at it. The over-dramatic facial expressions and zany performances intentionally make the viewer giggle. And I certainly did, a lot. There are hints of social satire in the script, with nods to toxic masculinity, class, and the seductive danger of chasing novelty over meaning.
As the story continues, each encounter feels like a fever dream pulled from the back of your subconscious, or maybe just a particularly rough night in Soho. The film is visceral, unpredictable, and unapologetically weird. You won’t be able to guess where the story is going, so it’s all a wonderful, freaky, and sometimes violent surprise.
The scrappy, guerrilla filmmaking style captures London at its grimiest - this is the side of the city you don’t put on Instagram, or maybe you do. The camera gets up close and personal with Harry’s unravelling mind, and the editing adds to the sense of spiralling urgency. Lots of close-ups and quick cuts, and it works really well. There are far too many disgusting, cringy sounds of people's saliva in their mouths - honestly, it was making me feel unwell - but that’s the point. Just sit in that uncomfortable space and keep watching.
Beneath the surface-level chaos, Sharkers is a story about escapism, male ego, and the terrifying moment you realise you’re not the main character in your own life. It’s about trying to outrun emptiness—and getting smacked in the face by reality instead. If you’re on the hunt for a funny, weird indie film, then you should check Sharkers out.
Sharkers is available on digital platforms
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