A hardened survivor and a young boy face an terrifying new threat in Hollow Trees, an Irish post-war creature thriller about survival, trust and a monster that can imitate humans.
Irish independent cinema is getting a chilling new addition with Hollow Trees, a post-war creature feature written and directed by Cathal Fitzpatrick. The film recently took home the Best Independent Irish Film Award at the 38th Galway Film Fleadh, giving the project an important spotlight on the Irish film festival circuit.
Based on Fitzpatrick’s proof-of-concept short film of the same name, Hollow Trees expands its unsettling premise into a larger story about two survivors attempting to find safety in a world forever changed by war.
Hollow Trees
- Director: Cathal Fitzpatrick
- Starring: Tom Kerrisk, Louis Kirwan, Rosey Hayes, Colin Malone, Leon Wright, Ryan Lowry
- Genre: Thriller, Horror
- Runtime: 85 mins
Plot
Set years after a devastating war, Hollow Trees follows Kent (Tom Kerrisk), a hardened survivor who has learned to navigate a dangerous and unforgiving post-war landscape.
When Kent and a young boy named Danny (Louis Kirwan) are forced to leave their home, the pair begin a dangerous journey north in search of refuge. Their already precarious situation becomes considerably more frightening when they encounter something that should not exist.
A mysterious creature is stalking the survivors—and it possesses a terrifying ability: it can imitate humans.
As Kent tries to protect Danny, the pair must determine who they can trust while navigating a world where danger may be hiding behind a familiar face. Their journey becomes as much about their increasingly fragile relationship as it is about staying alive.
A Creature That Can Become Human
At the heart of Hollow Trees is its intriguing creature concept. Rather than relying solely on physical strength or conventional monster characteristics, the film introduces an enemy capable of imitating human beings.
That ability creates a particularly unsettling form of horror. In a world already devastated by war, trust is one of the few things survivors can depend upon. The creature threatens to take that away.
The result is a premise that combines post-apocalyptic survival drama, creature horror and psychological suspense, with the relationship between Kent and Danny providing the emotional center of the story.
From Proof-of-Concept Short to Feature Film
Hollow Trees originated as a proof-of-concept short film, allowing filmmaker Cathal Fitzpatrick to establish the atmosphere, characters and creature-driven premise before expanding the story into a feature.
Fitzpatrick serves as the film’s writer and director, while the production brings together a predominantly Irish creative team working across cinematography, sound, editing, makeup effects and production.
The film’s independent origins are particularly significant given its recognition at the Galway Film Fleadh, one of Ireland’s major film festivals.
Cast
The cast of Hollow Trees includes:
- Tom Kerrisk as Kent
- Louis Kirwan as Danny
- Rosey Hayes as Amelia
- Colin Malone as Father Malachai
Kerrisk leads the film as Kent, with Kirwan portraying Danny, the young survivor who becomes dependent on Kent as the two attempt to find safety.
Behind the Scenes
Hollow Trees features an Irish filmmaking team working across several departments to create its post-war world and creature effects.
Cathal Fitzpatrick serves as writer, director and editor, while Ross Power handles cinematography. The production’s practical effects and makeup work come from Roisin Murphy, helping bring the film’s creature element to life.
The original score was composed by Dennis Dryja, with sound handled by Tom Stafford and Conor Whelan.
Key Crew
- Written & Directed by: Cathal Fitzpatrick
- Cinematography: Ross Power
- Assistant Director: Emma Lown
- Original Soundtrack: Dennis Dryja
- SFX & Makeup: Roisin Murphy
- Editing: Cathal Fitzpatrick
- Casting: Cathal Fitzpatrick & John Farrelly
- First AC: Leon Wright
- Second AC: Beth McCooe
- Grip: Dario Nunes
- Location Sound: Tom Stafford
- Boom Operator: Conor Whelan
- Sound Trainee: John Farrelly
Best Independent Irish Film at Galway Film Fleadh
One of the film’s biggest achievements so far is its recognition at the 38th Galway Film Fleadh, where Hollow Trees was named Best Independent Irish Film.
That award is an important milestone for the independent production and highlights the growing strength of Irish genre filmmaking. The combination of a post-war setting, creature horror and a character-driven survival story gives Hollow Trees an identity beyond a conventional monster movie.
What Makes Hollow Trees Stand Out?
While the film has the ingredients of a traditional creature thriller, its premise opens the door to something more psychological.
The idea of a monster that can imitate humans naturally creates questions about identity, trust and paranoia. Kent and Danny aren’t simply trying to outrun something in the wilderness—they have to figure out whether the people they encounter are actually who they appear to be.
The post-war setting also gives the story an appropriately bleak backdrop. With civilization already damaged, the arrival of a creature capable of exploiting human trust makes an already dangerous world even more unpredictable.
Release Date
A specific wide release date for Hollow Trees has not been provided.
The film’s award recognition at the 38th Galway Film Fleadh should help bring additional attention to the Irish independent production as it continues its festival and release journey.
Final Thoughts
Hollow Trees looks to be an intriguing addition to the growing world of independent creature horror. By combining post-war survival, human paranoia and a creature capable of imitating people, Cathal Fitzpatrick has created a premise that can deliver both suspense and emotional drama.
With its Best Independent Irish Film win at the Galway Film Fleadh, impressive Irish creative team and origins as a proof-of-concept short, Hollow Trees is certainly a film worth keeping an eye on for fans of independent horror, creature features and post-apocalyptic thrillers.
Written and directed by Cathal Fitzpatrick, Hollow Trees stars Tom Kerrisk, Louis Kirwan, Rosey Hayes and Colin Malone.
