A Shallow Grave is a 1994 British thriller movie directed by Danny Boyle, who would go on to helm the likes of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston, and Kerry Fox in lead roles. It follows a group of three flatmates who advertise for a fourth person to rent the spare room, and the series of events that unravel thereafter.
The movie begins on a chilly night in Edinburgh, Scotland, as the three flatmates - David (Christopher Eccleston), a chartered accountant; Alex (Ewan McGregor), a journalist; and Juliet (Kerry Fox), a doctor - interview potential candidates to rent their spare room. They eventually decide on Hugo (Keith Allen), an oddball who claims to be an artist. Things seem to be going fine for a while - the group parties, drinks, takes drugs, and generally has a good time.
However, the mood changes when Hugo dies suddenly in his sleep. When the trio finds a large sum of money in his suitcase, they assume Hugo must have been involved in something shady, and decide to keep the money for themselves. They also decide to bury Hugo in the woods, rather than notify the authorities.
From here on, the movie is a masterclass in slow-burning tension. As each of the three flatmates grapples with their conscience and the weight of their actions, their relationships with each other begin to crumble. David becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced that the police are after them, while Juliet becomes more detached and aloof. Alex, who seems to be the most level-headed of the bunch, tries to keep them all together, but is ultimately unable to control the situation.
As the days and weeks pass, the group is plagued by a series of anonymous threats and blackmail attempts that seem to be coming from someone who knows about Hugo's death. They become increasingly fearful and suspicious of each other, as it becomes clear that they may not get away with their crime after all.
Boyle's direction is kinetic and gripping, with a pace that never lets up. The cinematography is moody and atmospheric, and the soundtrack - featuring the likes of Iggy Pop and Leftfield - is suitably haunting. The performances are all excellent, with McGregor in particular standing out as the charismatic but morally questionable Alex.
A Shallow Grave is not just a taut thriller, however - it also has a lot to say about the corrupting nature of greed and how far people are willing to go to protect themselves. It's a film that asks uncomfortable questions about what we would do in a similar situation, and whether we could live with the consequences. It's not a happy film, but it's a gripping one - and one that has stood the test of time as one of the best British thrillers of the '90s.
A Shallow Grave is a 2015 crime movie with a runtime of 50 minutes.
