Welcome

Welcome is writer-director Jevon Boreland’s feature-length debut. The thriller stars Shailene Garnett and Emidio Lopes as Sasha and Darren, respectively. The couple is happy together, though their devotion to their careers means they sometimes talk past each other. However, the news of Sasha’s pregnancy gets them both giddy with excitement to the point where Darren books a getaway at a very lovely manor.

Said estate house is sprawling and comes with all the amenities anyone could need. A hot tub, a wine cellar, and a fully stocked kitchen are just some of the things at Sasha and Darren’s disposal. But after the hot water goes out, the owner, Eric (Emmanuel Kabongo), and his wife Millie (Brianna Goldie) show up to fix the problem. The extremely extroverted Darren gets on well with them and invites them to stay for dinner, seeing as how he ruined their planned night out. But as the night wears on, Eric and Millie try getting too familiar, and the truth of why they are there comes out.

“…after the hot water goes out, the owner, Eric, and his wife Millie show up to fix the problem.”

Welcome serves its thills in what’s left unsaid between Sasha and Darren, Sasha and Eric, and Eric and Millie. For as much as they do say, it is the secrets everyone has that are bursting out at the seams to escape their lips that intrigue. Trying to piece together everyone’s motivations is not a cut-and-dry manner, and the “why” of it all gives this thriller tremendous weight. Unfortunately to dive deeper into those themes is to spoil the second half, so best avoid that.

Garnett is radiant, making every decision, even hurtful ones, seem like the right one. Lopes makes Darren’s anxious but friendly demeanor quite natural. Kabongo is so charming it’s easy to understand how and why Sasha and Darren would be pulled into his orbit at first. Goldie amps the dread and mystery up well with the enticing and beguilling ways.

Welcome is an engaging and clever thriller that moves at a clip. The cast is brilliant, and the themes explored make this stand out nicely. Boreland looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

For more information about Welcome, visit the Breaking Glass Pictures Instagram page.