[FrightFest 2026]: Binding Eva

Going deep into the forest and exploring the human condition is Conscian Morgan’s Binding Eva which has its world premiere in the First Blood strand at this year’s FrightFest. The film follows a small-time criminal as he learns just what it means to put others first before his own selfish needs.

Ryan Ralph Gerrard stars as Felix, a low level criminal who is on the run. After kidnapping Katarina (Catherine Deevy) and her daughter Eva (Darcey Wood) and forcing them to drive, the group experiences a car crash which thrusts them into a deep forest where they attempt to find some semblance of civilization but end up lost and walking in circles. Tensions fray as they keep happening upon a wooden structure which causes them to think someone is following them, Whilst Katarina’s priorities surround her young child, Felix can only think of himself and his own safety, but he is soon forced to reckon with his shortcomings and his treatment of people in his life. 

Catherine Deevy as Katarina

There is nothing more terrifying than becoming lost in a forest that seems to be directionless and lacking in an exit, and playing on this fear is where Binding Eva shines, where the woods seem to represent the aimlessness and panic that one can find themselves in when they've taken all the wrong directions in life. The dark and expansive woodland is an ideal setting for Felix as he attempts to traverse the landscape, finding himself trapped and deeper in danger, whilst also being forced to take on the responsibility of a vulnerable little girl. Gerrard plays main character Felix as initially unlikeable but soon has the capability of winning an audience around, as he attempts to make amends for his wrongdoings. 

Felix and Eva

Although the performances and setting of Binding Eva are where it’s strength lies, unfortunately the film lacks any sort of originality, and so becomes predictable and a paint-by-numbers rendition of a car crash in the forest horror that audiences have seen many times before.

2.5 Screams out of 5