Thomas Elliott Griffiths returns with Time To Go, a darkly humorous and visually slick short about workplace power dynamics, revenge, and finally taking a stand.
Time To Go is a 16 minute short from Old Swan Films that blends revenge fantasy stylings with social critique. A story of office toxicity pushed to its limits, the film centres around Megan, a fed up employee tired of watching her corrupt, lecherous boss exploit those beneath him. From dramatic lighting and whip pans to a fast paced edit that occasionally borders on the surreal, the film presents its story with flair, keeping things energetic even when dealing with heavy subject matter.
Megan, played by Pamela Mayoss, is the glue that holds it all together. Breaking the fourth wall throughout, she guides us through her loathing of her boss Gavin, played with perfect smugness by Patrick Jeffries. She serves his tea while spitting in it, all while narrating to us the various reasons why she has finally had enough. Chief among them is the horrific assault of a drunken female colleague during the company’s Christmas party. This moment becomes the line that Gavin crosses, and Megan’s thoughts turn to revenge.
It’s here the film shifts from observational satire to dark comedy thriller. With a glass of red wine and an open laptop, Megan walks us through a series of possible murder scenarios including poisoning, stabbing, and even shooting him. Each one plays out in fast paced vignettes, and each is dismissed whether for practicality, legality, or simple lack of access to a firearm in the UK. It’s a clever touch that underscores the character’s planning and the absurdity of the workplace environment she’s trapped in.
Eventually, she finds a solution. One that’s clean. One that hurts. And one where the consequences will never trace back to her. What that is, we won’t spoil here, but it brings the story to a satisfying and thematically sharp conclusion.
Tonally, Time To Go walks a tightrope. It manages to feel light on its feet without ever undermining the severity of the subject matter. There is humour in the office scenes, particularly the pathetic brown nosing of Gavin’s male colleagues, who laugh at every unfunny joke he makes, but there is also a clear and serious undercurrent. The line between abuse of power and outright criminality is depicted clearly, and the film refuses to look away.
Director and co writer Thomas Elliott Griffiths has become a familiar name on Screen Critix, and it’s been rewarding to see his range develop over the years. From the emotional impact of The Little Things to the clever genre shifts of Tomorrow and Jumpers for Goalposts, Griffiths has shown that he is not content to stay in one creative lane. Time To Go further expands that portfolio with something sleek, biting, and genre aware.
As Megan, Pamela Mayoss gives a standout performance. She carries the film’s tone perfectly, balancing humour with anger and resolve. Her delivery is dry, engaging, and never slips into caricature. Patrick Jeffries, known for his role as Dr. Thurber in HBO Max’s ‘Theodosia’, is suitably awful as Gavin, playing the role without ever overdoing it. Keith Hyland, Paul Woodward, and Hannah McGlynn round out the supporting cast.
Visually, the short impresses. Cinematographer Alysha Brown creates a heightened world where shadows and colour feel just a little larger than life. The editing is crisp, full of match cuts, whip pans, slow motion flourishes, and well placed cutaways. Ray Badger’s score complements the mood shifts, never overstating its presence but supporting the film’s tone throughout.
Importantly, Time To Go was produced with a strong ethical foundation. The production team, led by Griffiths, Jess Lippa, Grace Lister Akerman, Rob Sharp, and Paul Woodward, approached the film’s themes of sexual harassment and abuse with sensitivity and care. Partnering with RASA Merseyside, they ensured depictions of trauma were survivor informed. The team was also committed to inclusive hiring, with 59 percent of the crew identifying as women or non binary, 80 percent of department head roles filled by women, and more than half identifying as LGBTQ plus. Educational placements were provided to students from Edge Hill University and Liverpool Media Academy, with a focus on mentorship and real on set responsibility.
In short, Time To Go is an ambitious, stylised revenge short that doesn’t pull punches. Its message is clear, its execution sharp, and it’s another step forward for Thomas Elliott Griffiths and Old Swan Films.
A strong and commendable short, both on screen and behind the scenes.
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