| No Reasons | |
| Director: | Spencer Hawken |
| Producer: | Robert Azzopardi Spencer Hawken Lucinda Rhodes Elizabeth Blake-Thomas Paul Ducker Claire Wolfe |
| Music: | Tom Wolfe |
| Cinematography: | Marcus Uthup |
| Editing: | Marcus Uthup |
| Studio: | Views From The Edge Films |
| Distributor: | Amazon Prime Video |
| Released: | (UK - Premiere) (UK - Amazon Prime) (USA - Amazon Prime) |
| Runtime: | 131 mins |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | £13,156 |
No Reasons is an independent thriller film written and directed by Spencer Hawken. The film was created with Hawkens production company Views From The Edge Films. It stars Marc Bannerman, Lucinda Rhodes, Elisha Applebaum, Daniel Peacock, Roland Manookian, Stuart Manning, Lorraine Stanley and Vicki Michelle.[1]
In a quiet London suburb, Jodie the daughter of Paul and Sally fails to return home, and the disappearance is totally unexpected. They anxiously await her return home. The family begin to struggling with their loss, and the impending debts they incur as a result. As Maurice, a private investigator, explores the mortuaries for clues, he uncovers a shadowy realm and a dreadful secret. Julian the gang leader is keeping his cards close to his chest while manipulating and exploiting Sally behinds Paul’s back. The same is happening to Paul in his workplace with his boss Simone. A teacher Mr. Taylor knows more about Jodie than he’s told and unfolds secrets which will destroy his career over night. The local news reporter Kevin keeps a close eye on the developments of the missing daughter and uses this to his advantage and nothing is ever truly as it seems.[2] [3] [4]
Hawken began work on No Reasons in the autumn of 2013 after his first feature film debut Death Walks.[5] As of November 2013 the films budget was £30,000 with several names connected.[6] The film went into pre-production in January 2014 in the same month Hawken and Rhodes began casting the film.[7] Hawken cast Daniel Smales, Jon Guerriero and Scott Mullins from his previous award winning zero budget film.[8] As of January 2014, Daniel Peacock and Jessie Williams roles had been confirmed. In February 2014 the film's casting process was complete, confirming the additional cast of Roland Manookian, Elisha Applebaum, Lorraine Stanley, Jazz Lintott, Daniel Peacock, Dexter Koh, Jessie Williams, and Holly Boeva.[9]
Filming began in 2014 across multiple locations in Romford, Hornchurch and Brentwood, Essex. Hawken developed skills and relationships acquired during the shooting his first zero-budget film (Death Walks), and decided to keep No Reasons a local project.[10] In the process of making the film, Hawken utilised local venues, including The Brickyard and Mercury Mall in Romford, and Fairkytes Arts Centre in Hornchurch. Hawken also used the houses of friends and acquaintances to create a backdrop of the story.[11] [12] The filming was scheduled over 14 days.
As of May 2014 the budget had changed to £25,000, and many of the actors lowered their fee to be part of the film. More roles had been announced, with the confirmation of Vicki Michelle, Anna Karen, and Stuart Manning.[13]
During the filming, the budget ran out. This resulted in three unfinished scenes, leaving the film 95% complete. A Kickstarter was created to help complete the production process, and it raised a further £3,165.[14]
During an interview at Phoenix FM with Spencer Hawken before filming began, he revealed that the film is loosely based on a true story that had deeply disturbed him. He added that the best kind of horror is the kind that is unbelievable but can really happen. Filming was scheduled to be completed in March 2014 with film completion September 2014.[15]
Hawken cast Marc Bannerman, pairing up with Bannerman’s A Landscape of Lies co-stars Lucinda Rhodes and Daniel Peacock. Hawken said when he presented the script to Bannerman he didn’t sleep for days reading the script.[16] [17]
No Reasons was completed on 29 June 2016 with a final cost of £13,156.
No Reasons premiered on 19 August 2016 at Premiere Cinemas in Romford. The film screened on 27 May 2018 at the Romford Film Festival.[18]
It was publicly released on Amazon Prime Video platform in the UK on 15 January 2021 and in the USA on 9 February 2021.[19] The film was then released across Europe on 29 April 2021.
In an interview with Nerdly after the films release, actors Daniel Smales & Jon Guerriero revealed they didn't sleep for a while after reading the original script. Smales debated whether this role was right for him. In the same interview Hawken revealed Smales had designed the artwork as part of the films release.
In an interview with Hull Daily Mail, Smales shared how the characteristics of the slicked hair, jackets and pointed shoes was based on an old school teacher.[20]
The film's release in the UK received positive critical reviews in 2016 after the films premier FromPage2Screen said:
In January 2021, the film was released on Amazon Prime in the UK it was reviewed by Nerdly which said:
In February 2021, after the film's release in the USA, Michael Stone at Rotted Reviews gave the film 1 star review and said:
In a video review Rotted Reviews advised their followers and viewers not to watch the film due to the themes and nature of the film. [21]
In May 2021 Dominic from Film Overload said: