Black Mountain is a taut psychological thriller with many of the elements that characterise classier horror movies.
Paul and Rebecca, respectively played by Katie Elin-Salt and Hasan Dixon, take time out at a retreat in the middle of nowhere to recover from some unnamed tragedy.
Their relationship is clearly uncomfortable, although the underlying reasons take time to become any less murky than the dark, hazy atmosphere in the Roundabout, which is the perfect space for this piece, especially when so well utilised by director James Grieve.
The appearance of Sally Messham’s forceful Helen adds to the mystique, freaking Paul out as much as a missing axe and other strange events. These enable Hasan Dixon to excel as a man slowly losing his marbles or, possibly, having them extracted by external forces.
By the end of 70 intense, sinister minutes, viewers will still not have all of their questions conveniently answered but are likely to have gained a better idea of human psychology and have much to discuss with their fellows on leaving the theatre.