Danny Dyer’s controversial thriller from the 2000s, which critics lambasted as “nasty and exploitative”, is now available for free streaming in the UK.
The film, co-starring Gillian Anderson of Sex Education fame, is a brutal revenge tale that sees an unlikely duo take on a gang of violent men following a horrific assault.
EastEnders stalwart Dyer plays Adam, a young security technician who embarks on a passionate affair with the sophisticated businesswoman Alice Comfort, portrayed by Anderson.
After attending a party together – where they indulge in a night of passion – they return home, only to collide with a stag in Alice’s car and suffer a terrifying attack by a group of men.
Months later, the couple have recovered physically but are emotionally scarred and devise a cruel plan for retribution, reports the Mirror.
Titled Straightheads, this intensely shocking thriller is available for free on Channel 4 for those who believe they can handle it.
Receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics, The Guardian was particularly harsh, awarding it just one star and describing the film as “nasty and nonsensical” and “a feature-length exercise in wrongness”.
Empire was slightly more forgiving with their two-star review, commending Anderson’s “engaging performance”, noting it “[delves] into the sexual psychology of a traumatised odd-couple with interesting results”.
They concluded: “Anderson bares (almost) all in this flawed but fitfully fascinating thriller with a comical, if less compelling, turn from Danny Dyer.”
Meanwhile, the Times wrote: “It has its thoughtful moments and is satisfying on a base level, but it’s an exploitation flick at heart.”
Nevertheless, Straightheads boasts a devoted following, with one Letterboxd reviewer declaring: “There are still parts of the film that I don’t think need to be there…
“But for the most part I think the film was fantastic and is one that I don’t think many will want to watch again because of how effective it is while not showing too much. I give the film a 5/5.”
Another cinema enthusiast commented: “Brilliant, brutal, breathtaking ….great slice of grub pie a la Straw Dogs and Piggy.”
A third viewer penned: “Horrible topic but Gillian’s emotional range here is incredible, she is such an insanely talented actor… still, a really hard movie to watch.”
Are you prepared to tackle Straightheads this week, or will this controversial shocker be given a miss?
Straightheads is available to stream on Channel 4.