Quinn

Quinn (2026) is a 50-minute British detective thriller, made on a zero budget and written and directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Morgan O’Callaghan. The crime story is set in Kent and London and centres on first-time detective Harry Quinn, who is assigned a difficult case early in his career. The film is shot in typical British detective genre style; viewers will appreciate the film’s incorporation of atypical camera angles, as well as a satisfying use of handheld filming to enhance the gritty worldbuilding of the crime-ridden setting.

Fans of TV series such as Will Smith’s Slow Horses and Chris Chibnall’s Broadchurch will appreciate the fast pace of Quinn, as whilst watching, it almost feels like you are struggling to catch your breath with how quickly the plot moves. Characters move hurriedly through the different settings and, in classic Sherlock Holmes style, discover increasingly intriguing clues which thicken the case. Also in true Holmes fashion, the case includes several twists and turns which add to the thrill when watching.

The film has a great sound design with strong music choices to accompany well-written dialogue; however, it unfortunately suffers from poor mixing, as the volume varies jarringly throughout some scenes, which can take away from the viewing experience slightly. Albeit, this downfall is gracefully made up for through the film's dazzling cinematography. There are several scenes which take place in a nightclub, and these are incredibly decorated with neon colour palettes and an excellent use of shadow. These moody scenes sharply contrast the eerie grey atmosphere of the daytime sequences of the film, allowing for a varied, textured viewing experience.

Through relying on mostly location shooting, Quinn brilliantly brings forth a relatable British feel, particularly for Londoners. Commuters will recognise the staple train stations that appear in the film, as well as the Thameslink trains which the characters travel in throughout their solving of the case. Details like this brilliantly use realism to bring the story to life, giving familiarised viewers a tasteful visual map of the setting. 

As the story progresses between several plot points and revelations, we witness the growth of Quinn’s character in a touching way. The film uses a non-professional crew of all British actors, unfortunately lacking diversity, although it is buzzing with impressive talent. Every performance is notable, but Toby Haycock is particularly glorious as Harry Quinn, the subtly played, quiet-minded detective. There is great nuance to his character, letting viewers into his reserved, intelligent persona, yet keeping us eager for more. By setting up the alluring protagonist of Quinn, the film invites incredible potential for follow-up films to this one, possibly the beginnings of a detective franchise or limited series. 

Overall, Quinn is an excellently entertaining short film. The story is well written by Jonny Brookes Morgan O’Callaghan, and incorporates a strong, gripping plot, as well as subtle humour found in aspects such as the costuming. With stylised camera angles, lighting, and editing, Quinn is an exciting viewing experience and demonstrates brilliant potential for the filmmakers involved.