Quick Info
Calibre is a Scottish thriller that slipped under a lot of people’s radars when it landed on Netflix in 2018. The movie follows two old friends, Vaughn and Marcus, who head out for a hunting weekend in the Scottish Highlands—and things spiral out of control after a single, harrowing moment in the woods. It’s incredibly tense, right from the opening scenes, and the movie gets darker and more claustrophobic as the pair try to deal with the consequences of their choices.
What really stood out to me is how grounded and real everything feels. The script doesn’t rely on cheap twists or cartoonish villains—just ordinary people caught up in a nightmare, surrounded by close-knit locals who get more suspicious by the hour. The sense of isolation, both physical and emotional, is cranked up by the setting: misty forests, small pubs, and wide stretches of wilderness that feel both beautiful and menacing.
Jack Lowden and Martin McCann are both fantastic, giving performances that make you squirm for their characters, even when you don’t agree with what they’re doing. The supporting cast, especially the townsfolk, bring a gritty authenticity that grounds the story. There isn’t a weak link here—everyone is completely believable, which only raises the suspense.
If I had to nitpick, the second act drags just a touch, and the relentless tension might be a bit much if you’re looking for something lighter or more conventional. This isn’t a popcorn thriller with big action sequences; it’s an exercise in dread, with a payoff that had me thinking about it for days. The cinematography underscores that, using the bleak Scottish landscape as almost another character in the film.
You would enjoy this if you appreciate slow-burn thrillers with moral gray areas, or if you like movies like The Wicker Man or Kill List, but want something that feels even more rooted in realism. If you’re after a suspenseful tale that sticks with you, Calibre is worth seeking out.
