Synopsis

A secluded country house in modern-day England, its ancient stone walls a stark contrast to the sleek smartphones and designer luggage of its New Year’s Eve guests.

Kate, reeling from a series of personal setbacks, organises a getaway for her thirty-something friends at “The Priory”, a remote country house. What begins as an attempt to start the new year on a positive note quickly devolves into a tense and revealing confrontation of insecurities, relationships, and life choices. As the clock ticks towards midnight, hidden tensions among the group bubble to the surface, their attempts to rekindle old bonds thwarted by modern anxieties and unresolved conflicts.

Michael Wynne’s The Priory is a darkly comic exploration of friendship in crisis and the inevitable changes that come with time. Wynne’s  dialogue crackles with wit and uncomfortable truths, as the characters navigate the choppy waters of their personal and professional lives. Through a deft blend of humour and pathos, Wynne offers a poignant commentary on the challenges of maintaining friendships and navigating personal crises as one approaches middle age, ultimately questioning whether it’s possible to recapture the carefree spirit of youth in the face of adult responsibilities.