Matt Stokoe, who also wrote the film’s screenplay, delivers a phenomenal performance as a man desperate to protect his partner and the life that they built for themselves from any outside forces. As well as being a largely emotional performance, it is also a physical one, requiring Stokoe to physically push himself in  harsh weather conditions, and he proves to be more than up for the challenge, establishing a searing, intimidating presence right from the start. Sophie Rundle is formidable as a woman trying her best to stay positive in the face of misfortune but she isn’t given much to do, with the bulk of the script focusing more on Sam’s struggles to provide for them rather than Rose’s mysterious illness. The two have chemistry in spades, though, their connection undeniable and their frustrations more than believable. They perfectly capture the essence of a couple whose nerves and patience have started to fray, familiarity breeding a palpable contempt as the two haven’t properly interacted with another soul in ages. Olive Gray, meanwhile, delivers a memorable turn as a young woman trying to escape her past despite a limited amount of screen time, her presence injecting the film with some much needed liveliness and variation.