The State of Us (2025) - News, Cast & Updates

An exclusive clip has surfaced offering a first look at the bittersweet chaos of The State of Us, the upcoming British indie that pairs Samuel Bottomley and Callum Scott Howells as two friends seizing one last, desperate adventure. The footage, shared with Hollywood Buzz News, shows the film’s core premise in action: a young man named Frankie, played by Bottomley, breaking his terminally ill best friend Taylor (Howells) out of hospice care for a final night on the town in Edinburgh.

The clip captures the raw, nervous energy of the escape itself - a mix of reckless glee and quiet dread that defines the film’s tone. We see Frankie’s determination as he coaxes Taylor from a sterile ward, both of them aware this is no simple joyride. The scene sets up the central tension: how do you celebrate life when you’re also saying goodbye? It’s a delicate balance of laughter and sorrow, and the two leads appear to wear both emotions with natural ease.

Directed by Ollie Gardner in what marks a significant feature debut, The State of Us runs at a compact 90 minutes, promising a tight, intense narrative. The official logline confirms the film’s emotional core: “Tearaway Frankie breaks out his best friend Taylor for one final night out. Over a riotous few hours filled with laughter, heartbreak and some home truths, the boys will face the ultimate test.” The structure suggests a real-time feel, with the entire story unfolding over that single, sprawling Edinburgh evening.

The supporting cast adds depth to this world beyond the central duo. Frances Barber appears as a character named Joan, while Seamus O’Hara takes on the role of Frank. Safia Oakley-Green plays Rosie, David Peel is Dave, and a young actor named Bon Cooper portrays a younger version of Taylor - a casting choice that hints at flashbacks to the friends’ earlier lives. Sunetra Sarker also features in a role not detailed in the synopsis, rounding out an ensemble that suggests the night will collide with various figures from the boys’ past and present.

Bottomley and Howells are both rising stars of British film and television, and their chemistry in the clip is immediately palpable. Bottomley, known for his work in The Young Offenders and Sex Education, brings a frantic, protective energy to Frankie, while Howells, who landed on the map with his BAFTA-nominated turn in Rocks, embodies Taylor with a mix of fragility and defiance. Their dynamic in the preview feels lived-in, like a history of shared jokes and unspoken fears is written in their glances.

The setting is key. Edinburgh, with its claustrophobic closes and sudden vistas, serves as a fitting backdrop for a story about navigating endings and beginnings. The city’s festival-season buzz - or the quiet after it - lends an atmospheric weight to the night’s proceedings. Gardner’s direction, as suggested by the clip, favors naturalistic performances over stylistic flourishes, letting the actors and the city breathe.

The State of Us is being positioned as a character-driven drama with a punk-rock heartbeat. The premise of a hospice breakout is inherently provocative, but the film’s aim appears to be more nuanced than simple rebellion. The “home truths” mentioned in the synopsis point to a night that will force both characters to confront their relationship, their regrets, and what really matters. The “ultimate test” isn’t just about the logistics of the escape, but about whether their friendship can withstand the weight of the occasion.

For audiences, the appeal lies in the universal story of friendship under pressure. It’s about the things we do for the people we love when time is no longer a luxury. The film doesn’t shy away from the reality of Taylor’s condition, but it also clearly celebrates the vitality of his spirit. The clip’s final moments, where the pair share a look of mutual understanding amidst the chaos, encapsulate the film’s promise: a story that will break your heart while making you grin.

While a release date has yet to be announced, the buzz around the film’s festival potential is already growing. With its strong cast, a tight runtime, and a premise ripe with emotional conflict, The State of Us looks poised to become a word-of-mouth hit on the indie circuit. It’s a film that asks a simple, devastating question: If you knew this was your last night with your best friend, what would you do? The answer, as this clip suggests, would be something unforgettable. The production is one to watch for fans of British independent cinema, and the exclusive look gives hope that the final product will deliver on its considerable promise.

Source: Hollywood Reporter