Film Review: We're Too Good For This

Director: Missy Malek
Starring: Asa Hems, Jayden Reid, Asnath Iosala
Running time: 11 minutes

Written and directed by Missy Malek, We're Too Good For This is a gripping and scrappy thriller about a group of disabled teenagers, who prove they should never be underestimated. 

Friends Anthony (Asa Hems), Julian (Jayden Reid), Scott (Keron Day), and Fatima (Asnath Iosala) live on a council estate with few opportunities outside of a life of crime - and a fair helping of ableist discrimination. As Fatima points out, she can't even get a job at McDonald's because they say she 'isn't the right fit' for them. 

Anthony's brother Steelo (Jude Chinchen) works for local pusher Charlie (Adam Deacon), who orders him to retrieve some drugs from an area closed off by the police following a murder. Anthony overhears this and decides to beat his bullying brother at his own game, playing on the sympathies (and ignorance) of the officers on duty to slip past the tape and find the loot first. Things go well to begin with, but it wouldn't be a thriller if it all went smoothly, would it?

As fun as it is, this short has the potential to be a great first act of a feature. Malek handles the material well and creates a tense, funny, and exciting story that hooks the audience in and warms you to its characters. It'd just be nice to spend more time with them, and get to see both Malek and her brilliant cast have a little more room to breathe over the course of a full-length film. The core group of friends could easily lead a movie as an ensemble. 

So, fingers crossed it gets some traction. In the meantime, it's available for free on the BFI Player as part of the London Film Festival, with captions and audio description available. Don't miss your chance to catch it.

Did you know? This is Missy Malek's third short film.