Box Office Bell
Festivals

Robert Carlyle Returns to Directing with Short Film 'three'

Actor Robert Carlyle has directed his third film, the short movie 'three,' which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The 23-minute film explores themes of desire, class, and consent in a tense and darkly humorous narrative.

Actor Robert Carlyle has directed his third film, the short movie 'three,' which premiered at the Edinburgh International...

Robert Carlyle, best known for his acting career, has taken on the role of director once again with his latest short film, *three*. The project premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, marking Carlyle’s third time behind the camera. The film, written by Isaac Gryn and Patrick McPherson, follows a young man who accepts a late-night invitation from a wealthy, older couple, leading to a complex and unsettling exploration of power dynamics.

## Plot and Themes

*three* centers on Matt, a 24-year-old who arrives at the lavish London home of Sarah and Ed, an older married couple who have invited him for a sexual encounter. What begins as a charged proposition quickly becomes a game of shifting boundaries and control. The film delves into themes of desire, class, and consent, with each character testing the others' limits. Carlyle describes the story as dark, funny, and tension-filled, praising its originality.

## Trailer and Future Plans

A trailer for *three* has been released, offering a glimpse into the film’s darkly humorous and increasingly unsettling narrative. While it remains unclear when the film will be available to wider audiences, Carlyle has expressed enthusiasm for the project and hinted at the possibility of expanding it into a feature-length film in the future. "I’m delighted with the project," Carlyle said. "I’ve read many scripts over the years and it’s very rare that I come across something that feels as original as *three*. It’s dark, it’s funny, and I was really drawn in by the sense of tension."

## Carlyle’s Directorial Career

Carlyle’s directorial debut was *The Legend Of Barney Thomson*, released over a decade ago. Since then, he has continued to explore directing, with *three* being his latest venture. The short film’s premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival signals a renewed interest in directing for Carlyle, who has primarily been recognized for his acting work.

Topics

#Disney+

Related coverage

More from Festivals