Tony

Isolated, alone and socially awkward but with an underlying capability of violence, Tony is an unusual and unforgettable character brought to the screen by first time feature director Gerard Johnson. Written and directed by Johnson, this dark, brutal and bleakly amusing psychological thriller was part of the official selection for the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2009 and has already drawn favourable comparisons to John McNaughton’s seminal Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. This alarming cinematic anti-hero is played exceptionally by lead actor Peter Ferdinando who went through an extreme physical transformation to capture the essence of Tony.

Externally Tony is geeky and unhealthy which ensures his moments of rage remain chilling and shocking. Shot entirely on location in London, the city acted as an additional character in the film, both beautiful and deadly especially when accompanied by a delicate, occasionally pulsating score from the reclusive Matt Johnson, AKA The The. —SXSW