“The Wasp” is a psychological thriller film set in 2024 revealing the darker sides of revenge, friendship, and repressed memories. Directed by Guillem Morales, the movie received an outstanding cast trying Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer alongside each other with the script McGrath & Director Guillem Morales and adapted by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm from her play of 2015. The film depicts the high voltage affection between to women Heather played by Harris and Carla played by Dormer who are girl friends but are separated for some time. But as the movie continues, the viewers fee that their getting together is not going to be a very happy one.
The story begins when Heather, an adult and rather wealthy woman married to her husband and a mother of three children invites Carla who left her wealthy life and husband, is now poor, and pregnant with her fifth child to come for tea. But then Heather has a very wicked suggestion that seems to bring all the due bad memories and the remaining unsettled scores pertaining to their past. With elements of class divide, motherhood and past resentments, the tension builds up as secrets are slowly unveiled making the audience extremely uncomfortable on what’s to come next. Heather’s slow-burning rage plays out through aggressive behaviour and actions like obliterating a wasp nest – cementing the fact that she suppresses a lot of anger.
WHERE WAS “THE WASP” (2024) FILMED?
The principal photography for “The Wasp” occurred in Bath, a historical city in England during November of 2022. The architectural style and other visuals settings of Georgian buildings along with the sea sides of Bath well fitting to the nasty elements of the story. Most of the shooting took place at The Bottle Yard Studios near Bristol which is famous all around the globe for its film shooting. The chosen Bottle Yard Studios provided the range of shooting areas which were employed for a great number of successful projects; in addition, this area is very close to the charming Bath, which contributed to creation of the necessary atmosphere for this intimate thriller.
The beautiful city of Bath which has a royal appeal is also the location chosen to depict Heather’s house in the movie. The contrast between the quiet, lovely look of the city and the frantic state of Heather’s mind contributes to the movie’s atmosphere. The director Guillem Morales was very careful while chosen such locations in order to increase feeling of fear.
Guillem Morales was asked about his ideas about what made him to take the project as a director. “I was interested in the opinion that Morgan Lloyd Malcolm had on violence and trauma,” Morales said. He specially noted the characters’ development and the numerous turns of the plot, which are contrasted by the locations. For shooting, Morales emphasized how the limited locations and small cast didn’t worry him, as he had experience from directing TV episodes with similar setups. He also added that shooting in Bath and at The Bottle Yard Studio has enabled them to be more particular with details and acting. He also noted that the capturing of most scenes in Heather’s small living room was advantageous in the creation of tension between the characters.
Morales also talked about how performances of Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer kept the movie going and charged. Each of them decided to star in roles that brought a new image compared to the previous roles, and the excellent chemistry between two leading actresses is enough to keep the audience engaged mentally criticizing the film’s themes.
In conclusion, “The Wasp” can hypnotize viewers with its psychological plot and visually implement a contrast of filming locations like Bath and Bristol to increase the viewers’ anxiety. The direction of Guillem Morales, accompanied with powerful acting of Harris and Dormer makes the “Wasp” memorable.
