Betrayal: Sarkate Ka Aatank (2023) is one of the most anticipated psychological horror-thrillers of its year, blending psychological suspense and survival drama. Directed by Rodger Griffiths, and starring Brian Vernel, Daniel Portman, Calum Ross, and Paul Higgins, this English-language film premiered in August 2023 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and saw a US digital release on 7 September 2024.
Movie Overview
In this tense survivalist thriller, three brothers—Miller, John, and Henry—return to a remote Scottish woodland where they buried their abusive father after killing him. When they dig up his shallow grave, they discover it’s inexplicably empty. Stranded and wracked by paranoia, the brothers must confront each other’s guilt, broken trust, and haunting memories as they unravel whether one of them has betrayed the pact—or whether something more sinister has occurred.
Attribute Details
- Title: Betrayal: Sarkate Ka Aatank
- Genre: Psychological Horror, Thriller, Survival
- Language: English
- Release Date: August 2023 (Edinburgh Film Festival); digital release 7 September 2024 (US)
- Director: Rodger Griffiths
- Writer: Rodger Griffiths & Robert Drummond
Introduction
Premiered under its original title *Kill* at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2023, Betrayal marks the debut feature of director Rodger Griffiths. The film’s unsettling premise—three sons returning to dispose of their father’s body only to find it gone—sets a tone of immediate dread. As secrets, sibling rivalries, and trauma surface, the film builds the tension by stripping away trust and leaving viewers to wonder who, if anyone, can be believed. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Plot Synopsis
Brothers Miller (Brian Vernel), John (Daniel Portman), and Henry (Calum Ross) bring their violent father Don (Paul Higgins) to the woods on a hunting trip. After Henry shoots Don in a fit of past trauma, they bury him in a shallow grave. Yet when they return the next day, the grave is empty. With no body and no answers, emotions erupt: guilt, suspicion, and repressed memories drive them into psychological collapse as they question each other’s loyalty. The narrative unfolds with both harrowing introspection and a creeping supernatural undertone—though the film remains grounded in psychological realism. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Cast & Crew
Lead Cast:
- Brian Vernel as John
- Daniel Portman as Henry
- Calum Ross as Vince (Miller)
- Paul Higgins as Don (the abusive father)
- James Harkness, Joanne Thomson, Anita Vettesse in supporting roles
Crew:
- Director: Rodger Griffiths
- Writer: Rodger Griffiths & Robert Drummond
- Producers: Creative Scotland; Great Point Media; Library Pictures International; MR. B Films; Northern Ireland Screen
- Distributor: Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (UK); Saban Films (US)
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Technical Aspects
The film’s strength lies in its naturalistic setting—foggy Scottish woodlands, weathered interiors, and the claustrophobic forest atmosphere create a sense of isolation and dread. Griffiths’ restrained direction allows the performances and psychological tension to take center stage. Flashbacks are interwoven to reveal layers of domestic trauma, slowly building emotional resonance without overt exposition. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Thematic Elements
Betrayal explores themes of familial violence, guilt, fractured bonds, and the indelible scars of abuse. The missing corpse becomes a haunting symbol—of buried truths, unresolved trauma, and moral ambiguity. As suspicion rises, the brothers’ loyalty fractures under the weight of past horrors. The film poses stark questions: Can blood ties survive trauma? Who betrays whom when survival is on the line? :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Reception
Critics offered mixed-to-positive assessments. Leslie Felperin of *The Guardian* gave it 3 out of 5 stars, describing the suspense and denouement as “adequate enough,” but praised Griffiths for weaving a subtle exploration of how abuse damages families. *Common Sense Media* rated it 2 out of 5, calling it “overplotted,” while *Screen Daily* called it “an effective Scottish genre debut.” :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Reviewers on *Film Obsessive* highlighted the raw intensity of the performances and the emotional stakes: “…a tense mystery, a true whodunnit, that really does examine the ties brothers have with one another…” emphasizing its psychological depth despite predictable twists. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
The film’s US digital release on 7 September 2024 via Saban Films brought it to a wider audience, where it was appreciated among fans of psychological thrillers and festival darlings. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
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Conclusion
Betrayal: Sarkate Ka Aatank (2023) is a quietly devastating psychological thriller that transforms a rural hunting trip into a claustrophobic exploration of trauma, trust, and suspicion. Anchored by sharp performances and restrained direction, the film lingers in the long shadows of family secrets and shattered bonds. While it may not redefine the genre, its emotional core leaves a lasting, unsettling impression.
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