British feature The Wasp is now available to stream in the UK, after shooting at The Bottle Yard Studios and on location in Bath in late 2022.
Starring Academy Award™ nominee Naomie Harris (Moonlight) and SAG Award™ Nominee Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) and directed by BAFTA Award™ nominee Guillem Morales, the tense, twist-filled psychological thriller had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, where it was received to great acclaim. Since its US release it has garnered more positive reviews and is now rated “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes.
Adapted by Morgan Lloyd Malcom from her acclaimed play of the same name, The Wasp is a sharp, twisty tale about two estranged childhood friends, Heather (Harris) and Carla (Dormer), who reunite for a cup of tea after not having spoken in many years. At their meeting, Heather presents a very unexpected proposition that will change their lives forever.
Interior sets were built at The Bottle Yard Studios and filming also took place in nearby Bath, with assistance from Bath Film Office. Five students from Bristol Film School’s BA (Hons) Filmmaking: Production degree gained placements with the Production Management dept during the shoot, which Freya Billington, Head of Bristol Film School, described as as “an invaluable learning experience.”
All images courtesy Shout! Studios
Producer Leonora Darby (Tea Shop Productions) said: “As a low budget indie, working with Studios can be very difficult at times, but The Bottle Yard Studios were a fantastic partner, working with us to ensure we had the best experience despite our very tight budget. Bath was a terrific home for The Wasp and the Film Office were incredibly supportive and adaptable as we shaped the film – which was not without its challenges!”
Describing adapting her script for screen, writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm said: “I chose to set it in the city I lived in as a teenager – Bath in the UK. There is a specificity of that place that is on the surface an incredibly affluent, middle and upper class historical city that is known around the world for its beauty. And it tries very hard to hide the true Bathonians from view, on the outskirts of the city. It also tries to pretend it doesn’t have the usual city issues of drugs, violence and homelessness, but it does.”
Oscar-nominated lead actor Naomie Harris also has strong connections to the West of England, having trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2000.
“An unsettling drama-thriller that delves into the complexities of its characters with precision in a way that is chilling and engrossing”
Valerie Cmplex, Deadline
“Harris and Dormer deliver show-stopping performances”
Mae Abdulbaki, ScreenRant
“The Wasp will stick with you long after the credits roll.”
Michael Boyle, SlashFilm
The Wasp is an XYZ Films, Royal Viking, Paradise City and Tea Shop production in association with IPR.VC and Shout! Studios.
Watch The Wasp now on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Sky Store and other online platforms.