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Hallow Road

Hallow Road is a 2025 psychological horror film directed by Babak Anvari and written by William Gillies.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hallow Road is a 2025 psychological horror film directed by Babak Anvari and written by William Gillies. The film stars Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys as parents who race through the night to help their daughter after she is involved in a car accident. It premiered at South by Southwest in March 2025 and was released in UK and Irish cinemas in May 2025.

Premise

Hallow Road centres on parents Maddie and Frank as they race through the night to reach their daughter after she calls to say she has struck a pedestrian. The plot focuses on panic, guilt, and escalating revelations during the drive, with most of the story unfolding during a nighttime car journey.

Production

The film was directed by Babak Anvari, known for Under the Shadow, and written by William Gillies in his feature screenplay debut. It was produced by companies including XYZ Films, Two & Two Pictures, and London Film.

Release

Hallow Road premiered at South by Southwest in March 2025. It then received a theatrical release in the United Kingdom and Ireland in May 2025 and later became available on streaming in 2026.

Cast

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys play the parents at the centre of the story, while Megan McDonnell plays their daughter, Alice. The film’s small cast supports its contained, two-hander structure.

Key facts

  • The film follows two parents who receive a late-night call from their daughter after she causes a car accident.
  • Most of the story unfolds during a nighttime car journey, giving it a confined, real-time thriller structure.
  • Babak Anvari, known for Under the Shadow, directed the film.
  • The screenplay was written by William Gillies, in his feature screenplay debut.
  • The film premiered at South by Southwest in March 2025 and was released in UK and Irish cinemas in May 2025.
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Canadian context

The film may interest Canadian viewers as an English-language psychological horror title from an internationally known director, with later streaming availability broadening access in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hallow Road about?
It is about two parents who rush to help their daughter after she accidentally hits a pedestrian and calls them from the roadside.
Who directed Hallow Road?
Hallow Road was directed by Babak Anvari.
Who wrote Hallow Road?
The film was written by William Gillies.
Who stars in Hallow Road?
The film stars Rosamund Pike, Matthew Rhys, and Megan McDonnell.
When was Hallow Road released?
It premiered in March 2025 and was released in UK and Irish cinemas in May 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallow_Road
    Supports: Basic identification of the film, year, director, writer, and premise
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hallow_road
    Supports: Runtime, genre, release dates, distributor, production companies, and synopsis
  3. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/14/hallow-road-review-thriller-rosamund-pike-matthew-rhys
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, release timing, and plot context
  4. Variety — https://www.variety.com/2025/film/reviews/hallow-road-review-rosamund-pike-1236332141/
    Supports: Plot framing, structure, and cast
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hallow-road-film-review-2025
    Supports: Premise, structure, and cast
  6. AlloCiné — https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=323699.html
    Supports: Runtime, genre, director, writer, cast, and release timing