Sophomore feature by The Violators' writer-director Helen Walsh. A profound and moving exploration of masculinity and desire in a remote yet savagely beautiful fishing community.
Jack has been married to Maggie for over half his life. He works as a Hand Raker on the mussel beds in North Wales alongside his younger brother, Dyfan, and Dyfan’s three sons. Jack has always assumed that his own boy, Tom, will join the family business on leaving school but Tom’s resistance to follow in his footsteps creates familial tension. Tensions are further inflamed by the arrival of an itinerant deckhand, Daniel, who makes known his feelings for Jack. In this remote, rural community where life revolves around Church and fishery, Jack is faced with an impossible dilemma. On The Sea is a beautiful, sensual and at times, tragic exploration of masculinity, place and desire.
Starring: Barry Ward, Lorne MacFadyen, Liz White, Henry Lawfull, Celyn Jones, Danny Webb.
Written and Directed by Helen Walsh. Produced by David A Hughes and David Moores. Executive Producers - Chris Clark, Mike Goodridge. Co-Producer - Billie Hughes. Director of Photography - Sam Goldie. Editor - Ricardo Saraiva. Music - Felix Rösch. Casting - Alex Johnson.
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“Frank, sensitive and shot through with genuine feeling”
“A heightened natural soundscape emphasises the dichotomy between windswept isolation and claustrophobic intimacy”
“intimate, powerful piece of filmmaking from a director who has got an incredibly clear vision”
“two phenomenal performances from Barry Ward and Lorne MacFadyen”
“It’s a really lovely coming together of performance, screenplay and craft in service of one vision”
“superb piece of regional British filmmaking”
“absolutely deserves to be seen”
“such a strong film"
- Screen
“A Stirring, Windblown Romance”
“assured, even-keeled storytelling.”
“On the Sea” finds poignancy in complication and compromise rather than easy, empowering short cuts to a happy ending”
- Variety
“Helen Walsh's On The Sea is a masterclass in powerful storytelling”
“stellar performances from Ward and MacFadyen, actors who share some of that same intensity and gravity that make Barry Keoghan such a draw”
“powerful and absorbing film”
- The Herald
“Like a slow-burning fuse Helen Walsh’s second feature finds its strength in the subtlety of the writing and the power of the understated performances, in particular the central duo of Barry Ward and Lorne MacFadyen.”
“the film has an atmospheric sense of place”
“the film finds a note of hope and optimism and demonstrates how a good deal of compassion and understanding can emerge from the confrontation of someone’s worst fears.”
- Eye For Film
“the extremes of emotion, self-discovery, and vulnerability make On the Sea epic in scale and impact”
“Ward's and MacFadyen's performances leave no room for ambiguity in the all-consuming power of their physical and emotional attraction.”
- Movies We Texted About
“Both Ward and MacFayden are exceptional, delivering performances loaded with nuanced, intelligent intricacies in body language and facial expression, making the chemistry and attraction between their characters intriguingly tangible from their very first interaction, right through to their last.”
“the film’s dedication to raw realism in all its loving, bittersweet brutality.”
“This gorgeous, emotive addition to modern British queer cinema is a reminder of everything cinema and storytelling can and should be.”
- RHG Reviews
"with its hypnotic environmentally attuned lensing from DoP Sam Goldie and it's deeply committed performances, it's rewarding to have another variation on this story."
- Cineuropa
"Helen Walsh has created something very special here with her thoughtful and realistic portrayal of two men connecting in a rural community"
"The sex.. is portrayed with a realism that is rare in similar movies.. it's not soft-focused and romantic either, it feels authentic"
"The exquisite, often ethereal music from Felix Rösch lends a gorgeous quality to this beautifully shot movie"
"Barry Ward gives a beautiful, understated, powerful performance. Lorne MacFadyen and Liz White are similarly assured"
"This one will sit with you awhile"
- Queer Guru
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2025 - Nominated for the Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence
BELFAST FILM FESTIVAL 2025 - Establishing Shots
THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2025 - WON Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra Special Mention, Felix Rösch. Nominated for Golden Alexander in International Competition
CHÉRIES-CHÉRIS FESTIVAL DU FILM, PARIS 2025 - Panorama Longs Métrages
UNIVERCINÉ WISE FESTIVAL, NANTES 2025
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2026 - Nominated for New Voices / New Visions Grand Jury Prize
MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL, SYDNEY 2026 - Out in Europe
FESTIVAL ÉCRANS MIXTES, LYON 2026 - Panorama Fiction
OUT ON FILM, ATLANTA'S LGBTQ+ SPRING MINI FEST 2026
ROZE FILMDAGEN LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL, AMSTERDAM 2026 - Nominated for Audience Award & Jury Prize
BFI FLARE LONDON LGBTQIA+ FILM FESTIVAL 2026 - Hearts strand
WICKED QUEER, BOSTON'S LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL 2026
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2026
LOVERS FILM FESTIVAL, TURIN 2026 - Nominated for All The Lovers Award for Best Feature
FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINE EN GUADALAJARA 2026 - Nominated for the Maguey Jury Award and the Maguey Awards for Best Film and Best Performance
OPEN SPACE ARTS, QUEER EXPRESSION FILM FEST AT FACETS, CHICAGO 2026 - Gay Movie of the Month
Helen Walsh Hollywood Reporter interview
Barry Ward & Lorne MacFadyen Eye For Film interview
Helen Walsh The Skinny interview
Helen Walsh Eye For Film interview
Barry Ward The Contending interview
Barry Ward & Lorne MacFadyen Out On Film interview
