I CAME BY

UK, 2022, 110 minutes, Colour.

Hugh Bonneville, Kelly Macdonald, George MacKay, Percelle Ascott, Antonio Askeel, Anthony Calf.

Directed by Babak Anvari.

It is difficult to categorise this film. One might call it a London drama. On the other hand, it develops into something of a thriller. And, finally, it is a rather savage, even violent, drama about a sexual, sadistic predator.

The title is seen in rather large graffiti on walls in the houses of the rich, perpetrated by masked young men, played by George MacKay and Percelle Ascott. They have been friends for years. George MacKay is Toby, angry with his mother, social protest, ideological. Percelle Ascott is Jay, about to become a father and want to her break from these activities – especially since he is black and fears recriminations and harsh sentences in prison.

Kelly Macdonald has a strong role, time passing now, as she plays Toby’s mother. She is a therapist and is seen counselling a young man who has been suicidal, a session having repercussions on her own concern about her son who has disappeared. She goes in search for him, trying to get Jay’s help but his refusal, and not telling her the full truth about their graffiti days, which she then discovers. And she begins to stalk a major suspect.

This is one of those films where a central character disappears from the film halfway through. Toby has been stalking retired judge with a knighthood, Hector Blake, intruding into his house, and discovering an abducted man. When he returns to rescue the man, he is attacked – and disappears.

It is a surprise to find that Sir Hector Blake is played by Hugh Bonneville, in some ways reminding us of Downton Abbey but his character the complete opposite. The drama is intensified by Toby’s mother stalking him, going to the police, their examining the house, having him under suspicion, but finding no evidence.

There is a scene where he gets a massage at a gentlemen’s club, intrigued by an Iranian illegal worker, tries to seduce him, wreaks vengeance – and on Toby’s mother.

With Toby’s character’s protest and anti--social ideology, his attack on the homes of the wealthy and upper-class seem to seem have some justification by the character and behaviour of Hector Blake.

1. Title? The graffiti? The two young men and their protests? The targets? The house of Hector Blake – and all those who came there (and did not pass by)?
2. The London settings, the suburbs, the streets, ordinary homes, mansions, gentlemen’s clubs and massage, police precincts? The musical score?
3. The introduction to Toby and Jay, masked, invading the homes, the graffiti, the signs, their age, protest, ideology, angers? Toby and his determination? Jay, becoming a father, breaking with Toby?
4. Toby, his angers, absent father, resentment of his mother, behaviour at home, his room and décor, protest, arguments with his mother, protesting, wanting help from Jay? The scouting out of Blake’s home? Entering in, his search, the basement, the door, the peep hole, opening it, the abducted man? Returning, intending to rescue? Blake waiting for him, bludgeoning him? And the later scene of Blake and his grinding machine, everything into ash, the ashes in the toilet?
5. Liz, her work as a therapist, the young man and his ambitions, pressure of his parents, attempted suicide? Her work, but upset the second visit? Her concern about Toby, searching, going to the police? Going to Jay, Jay not telling her the full truth? Her stalking Blake? Seeing the masseur? Outside the house, the masseur escaping and her giving him a lift? Her arguments with the police? The argument with Jay, seeing the USB stick, the images of the graffiti? Deciding to go in alone, the confrontation with Blake, her disappearance?
6. Jay, background, protest, time in jail, interviews by the police, being black and expecting harsh treatment? His girlfriend, her being rejected by her parents? Pregnant? Time together, the friendship with Toby from young days, his sense of responsibility for his family, refusing to help Toby? Following up, the search? His wife and her reaction, her thesis and giving it to Blake, his putting it in the rubbish? His going to the house, the confrontation with Blake, finding the abducted man, the fight, overcoming Blake and tying him up, the graffiti, the police finding Blake?
7. Blake, Hugh Bonneville, contrasting with Downton Abbey…? His background story, the pressure from his father, studying law, becoming a lawyer, becoming a judge, knighted? The portrait of his father prominent? His resignation? His public utterances about morality? His home, wealth? Suspicions? The photo? Homosexuality? The abducted man, keeping him locked? The confrontation with Toby, destroying weapons, clothes, bodies, the ashes in the toilet? Interviews by the police? His friend in high police places? Playing squash with him? His concern, security, returning home, his double standards? The massage, the attraction to the masseur, gay and fleeing Iran, inviting him, telling his story, spiking his drink, the man escaping, Blake pressurising him to come back, the threat about his legal immigration status, killing him?
8. Liz, becoming desperate, over the months, stalking Blake, learning more about him, talking with the police, getting no answers? Blake going jogging, Liz deciding to enter, the search, the discovery, the fight, her being trapped? Her disappearance?
9. The police, Toby’s call about the abducted man, searching the house, failing to find the lock room, later returns, finding Blake tied up, the police showing a certain delight in targeting Blake?
10. The blend of drama, thriller, upper-class hypocrisy, lower caste protest, twisted homosexuality, bondage?