Russell Tovey delivers a commanding performance in The Guilty, a gripping 70-minute stage adaptation of the 2018 Danish film Den Skyldige by Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen. Directed by Punchdrunk founder Felix Barrett, the production transforms the Donmar Warehouse into a control-room thriller that blends crime drama with ghost-story elements, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.
A Razor-Sharp Thriller That Demands Full Attention
At just 70 minutes, the play is shorter than the film but arguably more devastating, building razor suspense that fills the audience with dread. Critics report being so absorbed that note-taking becomes impossible. The plot follows Joe (Tovey), a night-shift police officer who receives an emergency call from Emily, a woman claiming she has been abducted and that her children are home alone. Joe digs deeper than protocol allows, breaking rules and taking the case into his own hands. The audience is kept guessing whether he is an obsessive hero or a rogue cop. When the twist in Emily's story arrives, it is both unexpected and horrifying.
Chloë Moss's Adaptation Adds Depth and Social Commentary
Chloë Moss's adaptation makes Joe more volatile and stroppy than the original character, while an additional storyline about his family life draws parallels to Emily's plight. Moss subtly incorporates social commentary on desperation, helplessness, and the desertion felt by those suffering extreme mental states from wider systems. The sense of guilt is palpable, with Joe facing a court hearing the next morning for an unspecified wrongdoing that adds murkiness and tension.
Expert Direction and Technical Precision
Barrett's direction expertly raises and maintains tension from the outset. Alex Eales's set incorporates the gadgetry and gear of a control room, with multiple phone calls that must sync perfectly—all executed immaculately. Anna Watson's lighting design uses spotlights during emotionally high-pitched moments and dims to evoke mystery and lugubriousness. A final reveal beyond the film's ending provides a theatrical flourish.
A Minor Critique and Overall Verdict
The only grating element is Joe's revelation, which feels ideological and demands further explanation, sounding like the writer's commentary on police violence without context and less plausible when transposed to London. Despite this formal criticism, the drama is thrilling and visceral, with not a minute wasted. The Guilty runs at Donmar Warehouse, London, until 15 August.
