Midlands Review of On 3...
midlandsmovies • March 11, 2021
On 3…
Directed by Louis Brough
2021
Scarlett Light Media
“I’ll make you a deal”
On 3… is the new film from Louis Brough featuring intense emotions during a late-night adventure of friendship and fractured relationships.
The short opens as a couple jump in a pool before we flashback to earlier that evening where the same girl (Chloë Culligan Crump as Leigh) loses her phone but a seemingly kind stranger (Damian McNeilly as Tom) finds it and passes it back to her.
After a curt exchange, Leigh returns to apologise but nervously runs away to a lonesome park bench. Joining her on the bench, Tom notices her “girls night out” attire and we cut to a later that evening, where the two end up in a pub with a newly purchased, and slightly more modest, dress being worn.
Thanking him for his help, the pair have a drink and down some shots “on three”. Swiftly edited, On 3 begins confidently with some narrative jumps that shift the viewer back and forth in time but clearly sets up its premise with assured direction.
After the drinks, Tom invites her back to his hotel for more drinks but instead they take a dip in the pool as we return to the timeline from the short’s opening. As they discuss their respective relationship woes, the two seem like lost souls in the night – emptying their hearts to the city and each other.
But the film changes tone in the final act as a third woman (Sarah Feltham as Cass) appears at their hotel room as the two dry off from their earlier swim.
And with their wet hair and partially clothed bodies, a heated argument ensues as the woman turns out to be Tom’s girlfriend whose phone-calls he has been ignoring all night.
The two great lead performances really anchor the film, giving the roles both intensity and believability. Both actors play well off each other and help sell the dramatic beats of the script. The story itself is somewhat oblique. At times, there’s a possible creepiness from Tom and at other times there’s a simple presentation of friendship - the kind of thing these cynical times sorely need.
On 3 however, keeps its cards intentionally vague and allows some interpretation about how these respective relationships play out. With engaging performances and an ambiguous yet satisfying narrative and tone, the film is a success that looks at life through the prism of an anguished night of (dis-)honesty.
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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