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.