Film review: Surrender to It

At its core, Surrender to It is a sobering look at how deeply our connections, heartbreak, and memories can define us.

Clocking in at a rather crowded 83 minutes, writer and director Tim Bryn Smith blends comedy and drama into one story surrounding a group of lifelong friends, embarking on a journey to the countryside. Tim Bryn Smith’s vision is clear here, and it’s to create a complex story navigating its way through various themes, backed by strong talent. It’s hard to deny that he certainly appears to achieve what he set out to do. Smith is no stranger to leading a production, with Surrender to It becoming the third installment in his catalogue. Smith founded The Nottingham Actor’s Workshop in 2010, which later resulted in Tawn 19, a film written and shot during the global pandemic, and the short-film, Echoes of the Fallen — two works preceding the debut of Surrender to It. The ensemble is clearly cultivating some exceptional talent, as evidenced by their latest project — and most notably the performance of lead actor Daemian Greaves.

The central plot revolves around Dani (Daemian Greaves) grieving the loss of his son after a tragic accident. Needless to say, this can be an extremely sensitive topic that demands a high level of expertise. When these themes are unveiled, Surrender to It does handle them with care, which is incredibly important given that it serves as the film's primary plot device. Dani’s grieving process is thoughtfully woven into the narrative, and the theme of loss later resurfaces through another character’s experience, when Timmy (Ben Grace) opens up about the loss of his father. This provides a well-rounded perspective on how people cope with loss in different ways, and that grieving is not always linear. Crucially, however, the film functions equally well as a comedy, meaning the humour can occasionally undercut the severity of the circumstances on account of the opposing individuals in the group.

Surrender to It possesses a broad array of characters, who all unfortunately fit rather predictably into the familiar mold of a long-term group of friends. With such a wide-ranging cast, the group is packed with notable performers. While not exhaustive, there are the likes of successful movie-star, Ram (Fletcher Graham), an influencer (Chantelle Lee) who harbours feelings for another member of the group, and a spirited airhead, Timmy, who’s desperate for help locating a treasure hidden by his late father. Honestly, there are a lot of characters at play here, but it does a good job at introducing them naturally in the duration of the film, so you’re not left playing catch-up.

Undoubtedly, Surrender to It is at its best when it’s establishing relationships with each other and truly maximising the camaraderie between the group. It forges a profound sense of nostalgia, which feels most authentic when it's abetted by the connections between each character as well as their shared memories being retold. It’s a feeling we can all relate to in some manner, and it helps to feel closer to the narrative at hand.

In terms of its plot, Surrender to It is certainly balancing a lot. Fortunately, it means there’s always something happening to retain the audience’s engagement, but it does so at the cost of its numerous subplots. As a result, the side stories often feel underdeveloped and difficult to fully commit to. The film establishes a compelling, eerie atmosphere in its early acts, but this tension unfortunately dissipates as the narrative progresses. In its place, Surrender to It introduces a subplot featuring recurring villains to torment the group, but their behaviour can feel more lackluster than menacing, as they act far younger than the characters they’re meant to be.

Nevertheless, Tim Bryn Smith’s latest project is still an entertaining and insightful viewing, registering at just under an hour and a half. In essence, Surrender to It endeavours to blend an eerie tension with drama and humour, and is grounded with an emotive soundtrack and intriguing character chemistry. The final act is assuredly one to divide its audiences, as it’s unsure whether the ends may justify the means, but this factor alone makes it a worthwhile viewing when it releases on global streaming platforms in the UK.