Davy and Stu – When Friendship Becomes Something More
In the still air of the marsh, between fear and desire, two boys test the limits of friendship and the silence that hides the truth.
Davy and Stu is one of those quiet little films that hits you long after it ends. Set in the desolate Scottish marshlands, this short film by Sacha Hartman captures that fragile line between friendship and first love — the kind that trembles under muddy boots and nervous laughter. It’s dark, wet, and a little eerie, but the real tension comes from the things these two teenage boys can’t quite put into words.
The Bog and the Boys
We meet Davy (Sean Biggerstaff) and Stu (Colin McCredie) in their secret meeting place: a swamp, wrapped in mist and folktales about “Jenny Green Teeth” — a creature that pulls little boys into the bog. But the real ghost haunting this film is their unspoken desire. What starts as teasing, banter, and childish bravado slowly slips into something warmer, almost dangerous. Davy is shy, inward, full of stories and fears. Stu pretends to be strong and unbothered, but when he says “You smell real nice,” the world around them holds its breath.
Fear, Myth, and Longing
The beauty of Davy and Stu lies in its subtlety. The bog isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a metaphor — sticky, secretive, and full of things that can’t see the light. Both boys are trapped between childhood tales and adult urges, unsure which ones are more frightening. Even their jokes about monsters feel like a way to avoid saying what they truly feel.
Direction and Atmosphere
Director Sacha Hartman builds tension through silence. The sound of dripping water, the low hum of wind, and the nervous pauses between lines do more storytelling than dialogue. The cinematography leans into the natural darkness of the setting — damp grass, twilight, breath in cold air — everything feels heavy with meaning. It’s less about what happens and more about what almost happens.
Why Watch It
If you’re into gay themed short films that rely on atmosphere instead of exposition, Davy and Stu is a must. It’s a piece about fear, tenderness, and the quiet ache of growing up somewhere that doesn’t have words for what you are. Short, poetic, and incredibly human — this film reminds us that sometimes the scariest monsters are our own emotions.
Although officially listed as a U.S. production, Davy and Stu feels entirely Scottish – from the damp bog to the raw accent.
