Heartless (2009) - Synopsis

Jim Sturgess, Clémence Poésy, Noel Clarke, Joseph Mawle, Eddie Marsan, Luke Treadaway and Timothy Spall lead a talented ensemble cast in the dark psychological thriller / horror HEARTLESS, written and directed by British auteur Philip Ridley (The Reflecting Skin, The Passion of Darkly Noon.) The film was financed by CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film, Framestore Features, Cinema Two and Regent Capital, and is a Matador Pictures, CrossDay and May 13 production. Producers are Richard Raymond and Pippa Cross.

HEARTLESS marks Philip Ridley’s return to cinema after an absence of over a decade. It is a dark and intense British psychological horror / thriller set in contemporary East London, here visualized as a unique and gleaming labyrinth of sulfurous beauty.

The story follows Jamie, a troubled young man with a birthmark on his face, which has left him feeling isolated and fearful, hiding from the world outside. He lives in the East End of London, an area notorious for its violent hooded gangs. According to news reports, the gangs are now wearing demon masks. But, one night, Jamie discovers the terrifying truth: the gangs are not wearing masks. They are real demons. And when Jamie's mother is killed by them in a brutal attack, he realizes he can no longer hide away. Jamie vows vengeance and turns vigilante. But the world outside is more of a nightmare than he ever imagined. As Jamie himself says: "I open up the window and madness flies in.”

Jim Sturgess (‘21’, ‘Across the Universe’, ‘50 Dead Men Walking’, ‘The Way Back’) stars as Jamie, Clémence Poésy (‘In Bruges’, ‘Harry Potter’) is Tia, the Eastern European immigrant who finds a connection with Jamie, Noel Clarke (‘Adulthood’, ‘Doctor Who’) plays Jamie’s friend A.J., a young man with a troubled history of gang violence, rising star Joseph Mawle (‘Freefall’, ‘The Passion’) is the iconic Papa B, two-time BIFA winner Eddie Marsan (‘Happy Go Lucky’, ‘21 Grams’) stars as the Weapons Man, Timothy Spall (Tim Burton’s ‘Sweeney Todd’, ‘Secrets and Lies’) makes a moving appearance as Jamie’s father George, with Ruth Sheen (‘Vera Drake’) as Jamie’s mother, Marion. Rising star Luke Treadaway (‘Brothers of the Head’ and the forthcoming ‘Clash of the Titans’) plays Jamie’s devious nephew Lee, with newcomers Jack Gordon (‘Fishtank’) as Jeeko, the unlucky rentboy, and nine year old Nikita Mistry, who makes her debut as the devious spirit Belle.

The featured cast also includes Justin Salinger (‘Enduring Love’) as Jamie’s brother Raymond, Fraser Ayres (‘Adulthood’) as Vinnie the shopkeeper, and newcomer John MacMillan (‘Hustle’) as She, the notorious leader of a local gang.

The film is produced by Richard Raymond and Pippa Cross (‘Shooting Dogs’, ‘The Hole’) with Steve Christian, Marc Samuelson, Steve Norris, Nigel Thomas and Charlotte Walls serving as executive producers, Andrew Fingret serves as co-producer and Alexander O'Neal as line producer.

The behind-the-camera talent includes director of photography Matt Gray (‘The Firm’, ‘Mark of Cain’), production designer Ricky Eyres (‘Soloman Kane’), editors Chris Gill (‘Sunshine’) and Paul Knight (‘The Other Boyeln Girl’), hair and make-up designer Jacqueline Fowler (‘The Descent’, ‘Hunger’,) special effects make-up designer Paul Hyett (‘Doomsday’, ‘Eden Lake’) costume designer Jo Thompson (‘This Is England’), music composer David Julyan (‘The Prestige’, ‘Memento’), songs by Nick Bicat (‘Passion of Darkly Noon’), music supervisors Marc Marot and Claire Freeman (‘Me and Orson Welles’), visual effects supervisor Christian Manz (‘Primeval’), sound designer Srdjan Kurpjel (‘Tormented’, ‘Creation’) and casting directors Jeremy Zimmerman and Manuel Puro (‘Hellboy’, ‘Moon’).

Filming began in and around East London in 2008, with the heart of location work focusing on the cinematic neon lit streets and estates of Shoreditch. From there, the production moved to the Isle of Man for the studio work.

In addition to co-financing the picture, The Framestore who recently won both the ACADEMY AWARD and the BAFTA for their VFX work in “The Golden Compass”, bring the demons in HEARTLESS to life.

Lions Gate immediately acquired the film’s UK rights during production. The film also received National Lottery funding through the UK Film Council’s Screen South development program. International rights to HEARTLESS are being handled by Content Films & Cinetic Media.

CinemaNX and Isle of Man Film, in association with Framestore Features, present a Matador Pictures, CrossDay and May 13 Production, in association with Cinema Two and Regent Capital, a Philip Ridley Film, Jim Sturgess in HEARTLESS.