The IMDB describes Bedlam as ‘George is a haunted man. He enters Bedlam Hospital for a guaranteed recovery, but it is a world darker than even his demons could conjure. Once, he fought for sanity, now he fights to survive. Welcome to Bedlam’

Sounds like a pretty simplistic storyline doesnt it? Well its not.

George (played by Guy Edwards) is admitted to Bedlam Hospital when his Doctor (played by Peter McAllum) diagnoses him as Bipolar, Manic depressive and schizophrenic.

Whilst we may be slightly familiar with the workings of 20th century mental asylums, but here in Bedlam we see it, we hear it and we experience it all.  Writer Director Simon ‘Chew’ Barker gives us a glimpse into what its like to suffer from not only the pre mentioned illnesses but also just how much hell goes on in the likes of Bedlam Hospital. The film is highly unnerving in places, jumping from present day for the characters to flashbacks into childhood, and the odd jump into surreal dreams. Confusing the viewer and unnerving us constantly. But that I feel is the point that Simon ‘Chew’ Barker is making sure we experience. Like a version of One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, but on acid, the filmmakers have perfected the grimy, dirty, seedy, ultra disturbing world of the mental asylum with added surreal moments not too far flung from the likes of the film ‘Bronson’ (starring Tom Hardy)

Whilst this certainly wont be a film for everyone, this is most certainly not a film I would put on in a dark room around midnight. This is the stuff nightmares are made from and makes you want to put on a Disney film just to cleanse yourself of the very creepy world of Bedlam and its ‘patients/inmates’ and of course its so called medical staff.

With Bedlam being the first feature from writer/director Simon Barker.What on earth has he got planned next? I for one am curious to find out

Bedlam is out now on DVD