The State of Us (Gardner & Harvey, 2026) - EIFF 2026
No matter who you are, who you know, or what you have done, everyone in the world has had an interaction with this disease. A subject so difficult to discuss or to show, that it feels as though it is rarely explored in the eyes of the media. Yet this year, two friends got together and in a very humane and life affirming film, created a story inspired by two of their best friends. The State of Us is a compelling and passionate film in which writer-director Jake Harvey and director Ollie Gardner truly gave their all in creating.
In their stellar filmmaking debut, the pair not only explore the pain and suffering that comes from the impact of this illness, but they look into ideals of masculinity and mental health. Their characters collapse in how they deal with the pain, lean into the dark humour, and struggle to face the true love they have for each other. A topic rarely discussed in terms of young men in the world, but one that we so long for. Even from a female viewer, the importance in their subject comes across ever greatly. A new discussion opens up, one that is forthcoming.
It must have been months since these two boys have had the chance to go on a night out. Recent months have had wild and reckless Frankie (Samuel Bottomley) and quieter, innocent and ill Taylor (Callum Scott Howells) separated. Fearful of the inevitable truth he will soon lose his best friend, Frankie makes a plan. Kidnapping Taylor, he prepares what he refers to as one final night out.
Beginning as a comedic and best-mate humorous adventure, The State of Usslowly reveals itself to be so much darker, yet so much more important. Hidden beneath the friendship Frankie and Taylor have is an element of pain and worry. What can one do when they are about to lose their person? To spend the rest of your life without your best friend, you wonder what will make life worth living. And, in The State of Us, these four men fully invest themselves into this idea. To share with their audience, Harvey and Gardner create the story, and Bottomley and Howells present it ever so elegantly.
As soon as Frankie graces the screen, you know the film will have the sense of comedy that you can only achieve through British humour. A level of jokes and jabs in which a considerable part of the understanding and sensibility comes from knowing how British lads are like. In their creation, and majorly in Bottomley’s portrayal, Frankie’s dry sense of humour — almost too drastic at times — shines through. Of course, when you have duo leads, it only makes sense for there to be one eccentric and one calm and levelheaded character. Two opposite sides of the coin, and that will be why they work so well as best friends. For someone who has suffered through a horrendous disease, the treatments, and now headed towards the inevitable end, Taylor is prepared to live the rest of his life with all he has, but in a much calmer way. The contrast of the two characters mashes well together with the level of strength and personality Bottomley and Howells bring forward. Working together, they truly bring the viewer into the boys’ world and into the heart and soul of the film.
The purpose and thought behind The State of Us is clearly in the question of “what’s happening now?” In a world where you have lived your whole life with someone and then they are gone in the blink of an eye. Taking typical beats from a best friend film, the creative forces signpost nicely through such a carefully crafted soundtrack and score. Working ever so closely with the wonderful mind of Indie pop band Blossoms, Tom Ogden, pure and beautiful original music overlays and enhances the tone of the film.
In their story and how the two have shared this universal experience with an audience, Gardner and Harvey have created a truly authentic piece. It is fully focussed and important in its sometimes dark but real truth in mental health, they remind us to normalize how we all deserve to feel. Men at the forefront of the hopefully onward and forward discussion.
So much can be said not only about The State of Us, but also in what Harvey and Gardner have explored. A heartbreaking premise that, through its performances and stamina, brings about a touching film filled with humour, love and hope. Ultimately reminding us all about how important it is to not throw life away and continue to live it to the fullest.
