'Signature' Review: An Intense, Claustrophobic and Tragic Domestic Drama
- Jack Ransom
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
By Jack Ransom - June 6, 2025
An exclusive first review for Signature, an upcoming short film from Nick Zerafa, that will hopefully be making its way onto the festival circuit. The film sees a struggling father (Tristan Petty), who has to make a choice: risk his son’s (Tom Greig) future for art - the same dream that ruined his own.
At just 18 minutes long the short succeeds in crafting an intense, claustrophobic and tragic stab of domestic drama and clashing life outlooks, as well as lashing of stylised psychological horror imagery that creep further into prominence as the film progresses. The financial struggles and estranged relationships between the family (with Anna - mother/wife, having left the pair) are established quickly and prominently, setting a raw tone. Thematically speaking the short nails the clash between striving for your passions, but also being hindered by the harsh realities turning a hobby into a career.
Stylistically this is an impressively shot short with some excellent surrealist touches. The snapshot transition to the black and white void, brilliantly conveys a dreamlike sense and captures a moment that encapsulates the peak of boiled over emotions and trauma. The colour palette seeps a depressive blue and concrete grey as the sorrow and loss between the pair is emphasised throughout. The walls are glanced at to briefly remind and reflect on the painting's past which gave them both pleasure before the harshness of reality set in. Tight close ups of faces, jagged camera angles that emphasise the claustrophobic dynamic of Chris Jnr. & Charlie and the framing of the hallucinatory and ghostly Chris Snr. that haunts his son are pure horror shots.
Both Tristan Petty and Tom Greig give their all here and tap into uncomfortably raw screaming matches and gut wrenching pent up guilt and frustration and nail the overhanging weight of not being able to pursue your dreams. Christopher Beck’s brief snippets as Chris Snr. will linger in your mind and lastly Emma Clare’s voice is one that no doubt echoes in Chris Jnr.’s mind.
Signature shows plenty of potential for this cast and crew and I can’t wait to see what they do next! The raw, passionate dialogue, committed performances and fantastic stylistic choices—along with fitting lighting and colour grading—immerse you in this claustrophobic scenario.
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