The latest film from Spring Lane Studios, Migraine, is a flat-out masterpiece.

It is an atmospheric, moody throwback to the heyday of giallo, while also paying homage to and leaving its own distinctive mark on the late sixties, early seventies psychological thriller genre. Think of Images, Repulsion, and Secret Ceremony – with a dash of All The Colors of the Night – and somewhere in there, you will find Migraine reigning victoriously.

At a mere 55 minutes, it twists and turns, weaving a horrifying tale of a tortured mind that takes familiar tropes and gives them a fresh and excitingly original spin. And this one is nasty, deliciously so, right down to the core. This tale revolves around an artist who is plagued by horrific and intrusive visions of a past tragedy. As the visions become more intense, she begins to suffer from the recurring titular migraine with increasing levels of intensity. As she begins to unravel, the mystery is slowly revealed, leading to a terrifying third act. Every actor gives their best work here – especially the lead, Shea Briar. This is a demanding role that she dives into effortlessly.

The director, Jared Campbell, performs miracles on a meagre budget. His confidence is inspiring, as is his approach to the craft of filmmaking. His style is distinctive, and his direction is assured as he lovingly guides his film family through this meticulously crafted world that they have dreamed up together. The atmosphere is thick. The locations are beautifully utilized. All of the pieces come together nicely – and there are moments of gallows humor that were unexpected and had me rolling when my nerves weren’t being shredded.

Migraine is currently being sent out to the festival circuit. It would be ill-advised to sleep on this one, as it truly is one of the very best that this year has to offer.

You can watch the trailer here.