Review: "We're Not Safe Here" (2025)

Storytelling is a shared experience. A powerful story can emotionally affect the audience as much as the storyteller. A new independent dramatic horror film puts a dark spin on this concept. We’re Not Safe Here from filmmaker Solomon Gray is a story about Neeta who is dealing with her own personal issues as well as the disappearance of her friend Rachel. One night, Rachel shows up on Neeta’s doorstep, driven to tell Neeta a dark story she needed to get off her chest. As the night goes on and the tale gets more involved, the two start experiencing feelings of being watched, hearing odd sounds, and more. Neeta is driven to find out the truth behind Rachel’s story and uncovers a deep secret that will have a major impact on both women.

We’re Not Safe Here is a slow but steady supernatural thriller that explores the themes of shared trauma and the power of a story. Solomon Gray takes an old-school approach with the scares. We get creaking doors and movements out of the corner of the eye. There are also a number of times the audience is watching through the eyes of a mysterious stalker. All you hear is a raspy breathing during these moments, making things uncomfortable and creepy. The sound design is front and center throughout the movie. Not only does it maintain a creepy and uneasy atmosphere, but it is almost like another complete character. ​

With a character-driven story like We’re Not Safe Here, you need strong leads; Neeta and Rachel definitely fit the bill. Neeta is played by Sharmita Bhattacharya with depth and strength. She really makes you feel for her situation in her drive to find the truth in Rachel’s story. You also sense that she truly cares for Rachel, even as she starts to suspect that Rachel may have an ulterior motive. Hayley McFarland plays Rachel, and sells the idea that something has her truly scared, emoting fear in her facial expressions and body language. We are given glimpses of what might be terrifying her, but Gray leaves the details up for interpretation. I loved the dynamic between these two and their relationship is the moving force of the story.

There are brutal scenes that are visually and emotionally intense, especially the opening sequence. You will never see a pillowcase in quite the same way again. The makeup effects and use of blood are effective and efficient for a film of this budget. The cinematography also stood out. One of my favorite scenes involved shots of a foggy street, which helped set up the creepy atmosphere. Further adding to that was a shot of a shadow against the outside of a house that looked like a very scary claw following Neeta. 

A high production value, combined with sharp direction, solid performances, and pitch-perfect sound design all help make We’re Not Safe Here the ideal movie for those who like supernatural horror mysteries. Solomon Gray's talent as a storyteller is as strong as Rachel’s, and I look forward to seeing what Gray will come up with next.