THE FORFEIT | Omeleto

A woman meets her wealthy boyfriend's eccentric family.
THE FORFEIT is used with permission from Josie Charles and Phoebe Brooks. Learn more at linktr.ee/theforfeit.
Ffion is a working-class Welsh woman who is meeting her wealthy English boyfriend's eccentric family for the first time during the holidays. Seb's family is intimidating, cultured, intellectual and quite posh, and Ffion feels very much like an outsider. And nowhere is that more apparent than when she plays the traditional family game for the first time.
Many of the clues elude Ffion at first, much to the disdain of Seb's family members. But the resourceful young woman is a quick study, and soon she picks up on some of them -- including a few that allude to a dark family secret.
Directed and written by Josie Charles and Phoebe Brooks, this bracingly dark comedy-mystery focuses on one woman's initiation into her boyfriend's family milieu. It's a fraught situation for Ffion, who is nervous about meeting Seb's intimidating clan. But it is also complicated by the wealth and class differences between Ffion and Seb -- and his family's very serious competitive streak during their holiday game.
Briskly setting up the rules of the family game -- which is a more high-minded variation on balderdash -- Ffion enters Seb's family home, confronted with a host of characters from snobby siblings to erudite uncles. With its mordant preoccupations, rarefied settings and arch tone, the film is in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock and Agatha Christie: a mystery whose intrigue hinges on the contrast between a very civilized, very British surface and the nasty, brutish impulses of humankind underneath it.
As such, the writing reveals a sharp eye for dialogue, where even the most off-hand comment has loads of insinuation and biting wit, and the pacing is nimble and quick, reflecting both the nature of the game and the family's efforts to put Ffion through her paces. As the story and game proceed, we also get a sense of the gulf between Ffion and Seb's family, as well as a dark family secret.
The larger cast of characters is well-drawn, and the ensemble of actors makes vivid impressions and lands laughs even with their few lines. But the focus of the story is on Ffion, who is sometimes cowed but often intrepid. Actor Kate Morgan-Jones plays both Ffion's mousiness and her resolute nature, as well as her innate good intentions and intelligence. With each round of the game leaving clues about the family secret, Ffion can't help but be drawn into it, and she seeks to find out what exactly happened, perhaps to her peril.
Darkly comic and full of stylistic panache, THE FORFEIT ends with not only the resolution of the mystery but Ffion on the precipice of a great choice, one that could change her future and fortunes. Like the earlier portion of the storytelling, it's handled with an acid bite and a flourish of cynicism -- fitting for a film exploring how the upper classes perpetuate themselves with secrets and mistakes of violence and exploitation, only to cover it up with a veneer of elegance and refinement.

[@katemorgan-jones8183]

So chuffed to have our film on the channel and to share it with you all. Thank you for watching and all the support 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@crabwalk7773]

👏👏👏❤❤❤❤

[@amynicole764]

you were amazing❤

[@steffibaker6121]

Nice work from the entire cast!

[@gregoryanderson9218]

You and the entire cast were great. Well done!

[@jenniferrobuccio3999]

Amazing acting. Great story. Felt like I was watching years of family history and relationships. Bravo

[@GOJAGI]

It’s like if Get Out and Knives Out had a baby. Love it

[@trublu2556]

ARE YOU ŔEADY

[@underthecassia5532]

Ready Or Not, actually. the one with the new bridE...

[@The_Beast_666]

ABSOLUTELY HATED IT!

[@josiejanefox]

Josie here (co-writer/director) - that's a huge compliment, those were two of our references! 💫

[@Cyancat123]

with a little hint of ready or not

[@GonzaloVarelaAudio]

What an honour to have our work shared by your channel, thank you!

[@eugenetswong]

You're welcome. Thank you also for sharing.

[@NekBravery]

Grande Gonzalo!!! Tremendo laburo!

[@carrchuggin9968]

this is how stories are told, well done!

[@nadiarey4196]

Congratulation, this is great work! Love the situational awkwardness of getting mixed up in your partner's family dynamics

[@Comicsluvr]

The acting was off the hook! Every character was unique and totally believable! Esp Dad moaning over the 1980 bottle of wine!

[@chloeberg9200]

Bro if you think he’s good in this, you gotta play Baldur’s Gate 3. Andrew Wincott is phenomenal in that game

[@malteseifyouplease6735]

The super rich are often a little weird, but since they are rich, we call them eccentric. The common people are often casualties of their eccentricities , often unintended casualties, but casualties nonetheless. She had a choice to escape or embrace their eccentricities, and she chose to embrace it. Having made her choice, we see how good the super rich are at keeping their secrets, secret.

[@durasaxon5131]

I wish I had said and wrote that. Well said!

[@MrAkurvaeletbe]

Its not rich people, its film people.

[@TomoyoTatar]

Rich people are eccentric; they're sociopaths. Quirky unique people with funny little interests lile collecting buttons to put on paintings are eccentric.

[@kimberleyaxxxx934]

Epstein.

[@justingary5322]

FACTS the existence of the have nots being ignored by those who have nearly everything 😂

[@vitoriagiacomelli7025]

the script freaking genius and that final close up gave me the goosebumps

[@kinoshortfilm5740]

Great short film! It was a pleasure showcasing it our festival earlier this year and stoked that it's getting some love from Omeleto!

[@eugenetswong]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@varun009]

I love this channel so much. So many captivating stories that don't take years of commitment all at my fingertips for free!

[@geoffreydarwentartconnexu]

It goes to show you how one can be brought into playing along with something that you originally would consider unacceptable. Well, that was enjoyable!

[@campbellzachc]

the power of positive reinforcement following a moderate dose of social dissonance

[@georgim97]

I want a full feature version of what happened before and after!!!

[@jasonpatterson8091]

Be careful what you wish for - that's how we wound up with such cinematic classics as "Night Swim," a movie about a haunted pool. Sometimes a short is best a short.

[@shwetankshekhar7640]

Is night swim not good?

[@phoebebrooks7120]

Hey everyone, I wrote/directed The Forfeit along with @josiejanefox. Really appreciate for all of the comments, glad people are enjoying and engaging with the film. Happy to answer any questions too. Thanks so much!

[@eugenetswong]

Thank you for sharing your work. I'm glad that you chose that woman to act the lead role. She is pretty, and I like her outfit.

[@healthguy79]

What's the long and short of this movie?

[@eugenetswong]

@@healthguy79 They play a weird game, where the loser must be punished. It got extreme, when somebody died because of a cat allergy. They didn't believe her complaints, because she complains about everything. This is what i read. I could be wrong.

[@GaryM-algorth]

The entirety of this short was on a level equal to any thing I've seen in a movie theater. Reminds me a bit of Poor Things

[@jimbetche7864]

Loved every bit of this video. It was suspenseful , yet wondering whether it was right to join the party . Huuumm 😮

[@John117XC]

I really have trouble on understanding what they say as I'm not a native speaker. Seems that this dialect just challenges me. Those automatic subtitles don't make it any better^^'

[@campbellzachc]

yeah this could be a full length feature, please. i just watched Saltburn, and this would pair nicely lol

[@rishipenmetsa]

Wow... I can see the Knives Out and Get Out homages... And I love it.

[@Austintravismusic]

Love the anamorphic flare on the phone light in the basement beautiful cinematography great story

[@PrincessMermista]

Someone give me a good rundown of what happened I got lost..

[@pathetic2399]

Loved this one. Great twist at the end

[@briteeyes2133]

Excellent plot, excellent acting, excellent filming!! 💯💯💯

[@make725daily1]

This video sets an exceptional standard! - "Value the voyage, for it molds your greatness.."

[@amynicole764]

A great watch! Fab production & great acting 👏🏼

[@RehanRC]

If you want to destroy or really test out your relationship, play CATAN.

[@thegreatandterrible4508]

Risk. You'll be done before you finish the setup.

Really? I didn't know it was that competitive

[@CanuckMonkey13]

I was somehow expecting the ending to be darker and more complicated, so at first I didn't understand it at all. After a couple minutes' contemplation, I get it and I love the simplicity. It actually feels much darker than I expected for her to just embrace the reality of the family and go along with things. I feel kind of silly now for trying to overthink such a perfect ending. 😄

[@jamiejoygatto]

It's pretty dark that she decided to become a part of this horrible family. If he did that to his last girlfriend i wonder what would/could/might happen to his future wife who will no doubt get to share in his fortune?

[@vlada3516]

such a luck! ex girlfriend dead; rich family and a secret to be kept. This is a win-win-win!!!

[@k8tina]

I actually enjoyed this. Great production and acting 👏🏼😍

[@gemstar7286]

The beginning of this gave me 'Ready or not ' horror vibes.

[@JarJarBigggs]

This was so good!! I was hooked the whole way through

[@justingary5322]

Awesome acting performances and writing 😎

[@johnreiland9180]

Fantastic. One of the best yet.

[@RubyOliviaHewitt]

Absolutely loved this!!

[@zantas-handle]

This is very similar to the plot of the 2019 movie ''Ready Or Not': A bride's wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.

[@FeminineRose]

Yes! Exactly what I thought!

[@melissataylor6829]

Loved this!!

[@thaisgregorio2734]

Am I the only one who couldn't understand half of the things the actors said?

[@girlinthebox]

same here

[@joumase_skoonseun2263]

Phenomenal Acting Skills , Bravo

[@Mike--Oxmall]

I might have done the same thing at the end, I mean Id be set for life essentially and all I have to do is "I didnt see nothing".

[@zeigfried007]

Tom, please keep doing the good work. I don't miss one video you post here.

[@Bella-gg4oz]

The soundtrack is incredible

[@Mal0wens]

Absolutely brilliant!!!

[@steffibaker6121]

Reminds me of Ready Or Not (2019).

[@mauracadell]

gives off ready or not strongly

[@spencergay8283]

Brilliant channel.

[@timmotel5804]

Excellent. Most enjoyable. Thank You All.

[@davonc]

I want more! Good short

[@NiMareQ]

Wow, what a refreshing story.

[@TheCaptnHammer]

Great film! I love the score. ❤

[@martinstocks4743]

Fun film with a great style and tone and nice twist

[@TheSemtis]

I dont really get it but i do somehow understand the big idea. What is the twist?

[@kayleighevans8544]

Loved this. I’m getting knives out vibes! We need more!!

[@maureenbergin3453]

LOL. Loved it!

[@qinelenleawatanabe2162]

I was waiting for Jack Nicholson to jump out an say "Heeeeerrrrssss Johnny!!"

[@kimberleyaxxxx934]

what a treat!

[@SoulSistah1LM]

Reminded me of that movie "Ready or Not".

[@HiLaToya]

What in the GET OUT was this?!

[@anniebananie7887]

This reminds me of Ready or Not.

[@kimsherlock8969]

Brilliance again 🎉 Interesting script 🤔 I was intrigued by her decision to take the benefits of being part of a wealthy family, With the knowledge her partner is capable of straggling her , In the next family traditional game .😮 I wonder how many people would make this choice 🤔

Exactly. I feel she felt she was up to the task - she had been capable of overpowering him, and putting them all in the spot by calling the police

[@lNoWayAroundItl]

5:49 Why would the family be so callous to include the event in their game? This was a fantastic short film.

[@knownasshan15]

like the later part (11:53) of the short film clarifies, Seb didn't tell his family she was coming, so it was an internal thing.

[@turdferguson2982]

"What do you call your act?" "The Aristocrats"

[@kopro_]

I just watched Ready or Not. This is very similar to that

[@s.s.5889]

clearly inspired by the movie `ready or not `

[@FIONA21ful]

Loved it! 🎉

[@adrienneadams3009]

This was 🔥

[@rajdeo263]

I could not understand anything at all. Either I am a illiterate person. Or the world has gone crazy

[@thetaekwondoe3887]

Well that was whacked.

[@neelmanoj6296]

Knives Out vibes

[@chloeberg9200]

Ayo it’s Raphael from Baldur’s Gate 3!

[@justingary5322]

On some Knives Out type murder investigation stuff 😂

[@cindymorris2567]

The "ELETE" play for keeps!!!

[@0rganizedreligion]

If there are any filmmakers looking for music for their shorts, I’d love to assist you guys!

[@melmo5218]

Brilliant 360

[@clasencoach]

Impossible to understand without subtitles.

[@VDH1953]

Hardly. Never even thought of turning CC on.

[@clasencoach]

@@VDH1953 Good for you.

[@stephencarroll230]

@@VDH1953I turned them on half way!😂

[@SophieLaF0ntaine]

Yeah, I turned them on right away!

[@tarekwayne9193]

@@VDH1953 same

[@PatrixPM]

Kind of The Addams Family, isn't It?

[@IhaveMy0pinion]

Just cos we're Welsh😂😂😂

[@designerd77]

Why are auto generated captions so bad for British accents?

[@RHKhan86]

I enjoyed it. Didn't get the end though.

[@trashturnip7418]

EPIC

[@christopher-miles]

so like, i don't grabs the concept. it was funny as heck, doe.

[@mactrek2]

Once I saw the players, I knew how things would end. IYKYK

[@MelliaBoomBot]

Just like visiting all the posh English families then? Vipers….

[@dragonmaster909]

Great

[@senorhotpants1851]

if you know someone named pippa, stay away.

[@nyhamnplattan]

I must be the only one that didnt get it...?

[@reme001]

Sorry I didn't get it. Also have a problem with British accents and people speaking fast

[@andrewtarq6221]

👏👏

[@Ryaaaan15]

💜

[@durasaxon5131]

Strange convaluted family. The Game is now about the death? I guess you have to be rich and eccentric to play? Joining means privileges. [ I am eccentric Not this type. I'm also a bit of a pragmatist and fatalist. ]

[@underthecassia5532]

similar plot to Ready Or Not, nO?

[@atreshahazra4168]

even i was thinking theb same

[@humaymaatique9656]

Is that Snape as the mother?

[@bstreetbistro]

After going through this video several times, I finally pinpointed what was nagging at me and it is: who makes up the clues? I think the answer is that the job of generating clues is distributed among the family members. Everybody has to make up some. This supposition is supported by the fact that the clues are handwritten. However, during Round One, when any given family member's clue is selected they may not answer.

[@phoebebrooks7120]

Close! You're correct that clue making is divided up among the family - everyone makes the same number of clues. But because the clue making is evenly divided, there's no need for the final rule you suppose. You're allowed to answer even if it's your own clue, as everyone has the same odds of benefitting from one of their clues coming up in round one. Thanks for paying such close attention!

[@Komi-Zyrian]

if it is just a performance for the newcomer so there were no any crimes in the family

[@nelsonsantos2631]

Who is the guy with the funny eyes

[@WaterMan-ss6eb]

I watched 20 sec cou;don’t understand a word they were saying…just sayin

[@bjb7587]

Same at first, but got easier after about one minute. Still....

[@HyperHrishiHD]

Ok

[@tobe-you-tube6612]

Ruuuuun

[@The_Beast_666]

😄😀😃

[@Giovanisabelc.izahar]

....... Weirdos

[@pamelagraham890]

I can excuse everything they did ...EXCEPT... allowing the cat on the kitchen counter....

[@micknordstrom2591]

I do not get it!

[@bstreetbistro]

So his first fiancee was staying by his family and they always play the traditional family game and the one who has a forfeit has to do some ridiculous act, and the first fiancee forfeited and had to go in the cellar and she didn't want to but because the family is fanatic about the game she was forced to anyway and she always exaggerated her allergies so apparently no one took her seriously when she clamored to be let out and the cat was down there with her and the first fiancée had a severe reaction and it became a police matter but the family smoothed it over and now there is a new fiancee and the clues in the game this year are partially about the circumstances surrounding the first fiancee's demise and the second fiancee becomes suspicious and learns the truth and calls the police but rethinks her decision after realizing she'd be throwing away a chance to marry into wealth but the police are already on their way over so the family once again must pull together and concoct a story to get the police to back off. More or less. Not exactly like that. But that's all the clues the Fameleto [sic] Rules permit me, as a subscriber, to share.

[@stephencarroll230]

You pretty much explained the whole film! Nice

[@darkythecrazyninja5228]

Serbian hiding longevity

[@aarond1622]

This IS NOT a rich meets poor thing. It's just one girl being introduced to a different group of people who have different traditions. This happens between people if the same class too. Geesh.

[@user-zj5kd6nc1l]

its a take on a classic scenario portrayed in films and literature

[@Burden67]

no no no no no no no no no no no

[@atlanciaza]

What? I just don't get this, I'm so confused about this, uhm, sto-, well I don't even know if I can call it a story even. I even watched it twice, and I still don't get what the hell this even about, it is just completely nonsensical to me. I don't see any story line, or even something resembling a plot, to me it appears just so random. If someone can explain it to me, I would really appreciate it.

[@bibolehabib]

Definitively not my favourite...

[@traceymallard]

This one wasn't too good. Too confusing.

[@Abboman111]

What confused you?

[@annamariesantillan9196]

Confused as to why Ffion decided to forfeit revealing the family secrets to the authorities and stayed for good or bad with them

[@Abboman111]

Forseeing a future of wealth and prosperity unfortunately

[@jamiejoygatto]

The mother-in-law offered her a house, and she'd have a lifestyle of the VERY wealthy for the rest of her life@@annamariesantillan9196

[@bjb7587]

Hard to get some of the dialogue too? I missed some of it, and wasn't sure if her expression changed slightly at the end.

[@LordKohaegan]

Great production quality and acting, but terrible story and concept. It was just way to outlandish and quirky.

[@janicemahan4772]

Rich people having morbid lives. Such a bore.

[@The_Beast_666]

DARK SECRET MY ASS!