The Promise

Overview

Paul (Toby Kebbell) recently moved into a bed-sit on the street. He works as a gardener in local parks and spends his spare time alone. After taking a shine to local girl, Kirsty, who he often passes on the street, he finally manages to pluck up the courage to ask her on a date. The date starts out well, and Paul persuades Kirsty to come home with him. In a fleetingly intimate moment, he confides in her that he is carrying a terrible secret. Although clearly consumed with guilt and remorse, he resolutely refuses to elaborate. Their moment of closeness proves too painful, and Paul destroys the relationship before it's even begun. Then on his way home one night, Paul catches sight of a woman and runs away, scared. Back home, he consumes a cocktail of whisky and paracetamols, wishing his life away. The doorbell rings and Jean (Jodhi May), the woman he ran away from is there. What follows – a meeting between Jean and Paul through a gap in the door – is a disturbing journey to the heart of Paul’s dark secret.