Finding Light in Darkness: A Review of 'Room Taken'

Strange things have been happening. I’ve been hearing weird noises.

Room Taken is a short film directed by TJ O'Grady Peyton. The story follows Isaac, a homeless man, who secretly stays in an elderly blind woman’s home. Though Isaac is careful as he tip-toes past her, Victoria senses a presence.

I watched Room Taken at the Regent Theatre’s Manhattan Short Film Festival and was immediately drawn to its compelling story. Room Taken explores themes of connection, loneliness, and perseverance. While the film is open to interpretation, my takeaway is that it encourages hope in difficult circumstances and raises awareness of disabilities.

Brid Brennan and Gabriel Adewusi star as Victoria and Isaac, each bringing a vibrant depth to their characters. The casting process primarily involved self-tapes, with Adewusi’s energy landing him the role of Issac.

Isaac is an intriguing character. Though homeless, he maintains a positive outlook. While he is taking advantage of this elderly woman’s disability, Isaac discreetly contributes to chores. Adewusi does a terrific job conveying the character's heart and has good comedic timing.

In casting Victoria, filmmakers wanted to ensure authenticity. They collaborated with Sightless Cinema, an organization that stages plays starring blind actors, and RADE (Recovering through Art and Drama Education). The National Council of the Blind also supported them when filming first started.

No luck transpired in casting from the blind community, so they chose Brid Brennan, an actress who has starred in short films and mainstream movies like Brooklyn (2015).

For her preparation, Brennan worked with Delores Cullen, a blind visual impairment consultant from Dublin. The pair had fun together, having discussions that helped Brennan make an accurate portrayal.

Brennan delivers a wonderful performance as Victoria. Her extensive research makes her portrayal genuine and nuanced. Despite her character’s impairment, Victoria is a self-sufficient woman. Movies that portray blindness are valuable.

This movie reminded me of Wait Until Dark (1967), which starred Audrey Hepburn as a blind woman. While the two films differ in tone, specifically with how the unwelcomed house guests torture the blind character in Wait Until Dark, the message remains effective. Blind individuals are often more resourceful than we realize. Never take advantage of anybody’s disability.

Room Taken is TJ O’Grady Peyton's 8th short film. His past directorial credits include 10 years of professional commercials. He also directed a movie called Wave, which premiered at Tribeca, and won an Irish and Television Award.

Inspiration for the film came when writer Michael Whelon saw a blind woman walking with a homeless man, sparking a ‘what-if’ lightbulb. Peyton also drew inspiration from his own experiences volunteering in homeless shelters, as well as other films that shaped his vision of the story.

Filmed in Dublin, the story’s location is important. “We aimed to create a visual language that reflected the city while ensuring it was practical for the story,” Peyton explains about the filming process. “Victoria’s home, the main location, was designed to feel both authentic and practical, highlighting how someone would navigate this space undetected.”

Room Taken is both comical and suspenseful. The audience vocalized alarm whenever Victoria was close to catching Isaac. The scene in the bathtub is funny as Isaac is trying not to make any noise, like dripping water.

For Peyton, the journey with Room Taken has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has traveled to festivals, film schools, and is long-listed for the 2025 Academy Awards!

Peyton describes the message perfectly, “(Room Taken) serves as a reminder that tough times can evolve, and eventually, there may be something good or hopeful ahead.” I highly recommend you watch this short film. Room Taken is heartwarming and made me feel a sense of hope.