A mesmerisingly fractured tale of vengeance, grief, and emotional decay, Derelict stands as one of the most haunting and ambitious British crime thrillers in recent memory. Directed by Jonathan Zaurin (Blood Tales, Gore Grind), this film dives deep into the human cost of violence and the fragility of those left behind, blending psychological intensity with artful cinematic experimentation.
At its heart is Abigail (a superb Suzanne Fulton), a woman consumed by loss and obsession following the brutal murder of her father a decade earlier. Isolated and tormented, she’s driven by the need to exact revenge, no matter the personal cost. Her story intertwines with that of Matt (Michael Coombes), a young man already struggling to hold his life together when his estranged brother Ewan (Pete Bird) is released from prison. The relationship between the two brothers—one sensitive and hesitant, the other violent and manipulative—serves as a powerful counterpoint to Abigail’s descent into vengeance.
Zaurin’s use of fragmented timelines and a stunning mix of black-and-white and colour cinematography elevates Derelict from a straightforward crime story to a work of genuine artistry. The fractured narrative mirrors the characters’ disordered states of mind, blurring lines between justice, memory, and morality. The result is both gripping and unsettling, a slow-burn descent into emotional ruin where no one emerges unscathed.
The film’s performances are uniformly strong, with Fulton delivering a raw, deeply felt portrayal of grief and fury. Coombes and Bird bring a volatile dynamic to the screen, while Ayvianna Snow (How to Kill Monsters) and Nick Cornwall (Devils) add further texture to Zaurin’s morally murky world.
Having earned widespread acclaim during its festival run—including praise from FrightFest audiences for its bold structure and evocative visuals—Derelict now arrives in a feature-packed Blu-ray edition from 101 Films and a digital release from Miracle Media.
Blu-ray Special Features include:
Invisible Basketball – The Making of Derelict
The Petting Zoo – a short film by Virginie Sélavy
No Easy Answer – a video essay by George Daniel Lea
Shadow of My Bones – music video by Mike Hoskins
Deleted scenes
Trailers
Reversible sleeve with alternate poster art
More than a simple revenge tale, Derelict is a bold, unconventional exploration of loss, guilt, and the impossibility of closure. Zaurin crafts a film that lingers long after the credits roll—a chilling meditation on what happens when grief curdles into obsession.
Derelict will be released digitally on September 1, 2025 via Miracle Media, followed by a Blu-ray release on September 22, 2025 from 101 Films.
Jessie Hobson