Frightfest 2023: ‘To Fire You Come At Last’ Review

Stars: Mark Carlisle, Richard Rowden, Harry Roebuck, James Swanton | Written and Directed by Sean Hogan

Running at only 45 minutes, To Fire You Come At Last is one of the shorter features playing at this year’s Frightfest. Within that tight runtime, writer/director Sean Hogan crafts an eerie folk-horror tale that delivers an unsettling atmosphere within the black-and-white imagery brought to the screen.

Set in rural 17th-century England, Squire Marlow (Mark Carlisle) intends to carry the coffin containing his deceased son to the local graveyard. Joining him in the long walk are his right-hand man, Pike (Richard Rowden), and Holt (Harry Roebuck), a childhood friend of the deceased. The only other person able to help them is Ramsey (James Swanton), a low-status drunk that all look down upon. Despite the party being afraid of walking the pathway after dark, Marlow promises to double their wages if they take the journey.

As they make the coffin walk while worrying about superstitions and ancient folklore, the group soon realise that the danger lurks within their party. As secrets come spilling out, it becomes clear that what haunts the characters are their past sins. Roebuck conveys Holt’s mournful feelings as he grapples with the weight of his best friend’s passing, while also holding contempt for Ramsey. The feeling is mutual, as Swanton memorably depicts Ramsey’s barely contained giddiness when he realizes that he has a truth bomb ready to explode.

Carlisle effectively captures the Squire’s need to position himself as a grieving father, while letting the mask slip to ensure his will is enforced. It must be said that Rowden does good work as Pike, which makes it unfortunate how the characterization feels lacking. For a film with only a handful of characters, it is more noticeable when one falls short.

Amidst the increasingly darkening surroundings, the score aids the disquieting situation in this stylishly realised tale. While something lurks in the dark, rising distrust and tensions are the cause of the increasingly atmospheric situation. The unknown figure may frighten the group, yet it is the known company who are responsible for the hellish experience.

**** 4/5

To Fire You Come At Last screened as part of this year’s Pigeon Shrine Frightfest London.