by FilmInk Staff
Rising Australian talent Debbie Davis [pictured] is stepping confidently into the spotlight with her directorial debut, Hush – a raw and emotionally charged psychological thriller that is already generating early festival buzz.
Filming has officially wrapped on the project, which is both written and directed by Davis, who also takes on the film’s lead role. The production is now preparing for its festival run.
Hush delves into the confronting and often misunderstood reality of postnatal psychosis — a condition rarely explored on screen. The film follows a mother unravelling under the weight of her fractured reality, blurring the line between truth and delusion in a narrative that is as unsettling as it is necessary.
Set against an eerie and emotionally tense backdrop, Hush examines the fragility of the mind in the aftermath of childbirth, shining a light on the silent struggles many women face behind closed doors.
“As a mother myself, I felt this story demanded to be told, regardless of how confronting it may be,” Davis said.
“There remains significant silence and stigma surrounding postnatal mental health. While Hush presents an extreme, it aims to pull back the curtain – to make audiences feel, reflect, and start conversations that truly matter.
“This is not a film that will simply be watched – it will be felt.”
Hush marks a significant milestone in Davis’s career, showcasing her depth not only as an actor but as a bold and emerging storyteller.
Co-directed and produced by Kayley Atkinson of Profound Visions, the film brings together a dedicated creative team committed to producing work that challenges, provokes, and resonates.
“Directing and acting in Hush was an incredibly meaningful experience,” Ms Davis said.
“We were supported by an exceptional cast and crew who brought both care and intensity to the project. Despite the heavy subject matter, there was a genuine sense of connection on set, with moments of lightness throughout the process.”
Ms Atkinson said being able to produce and co-direct Hush was an experience she will cherish forever.
“Coming onboard Hush has been such a beautiful experience as it’s a project that aims to start a conversation. We address taboo topics and take viewers on an emotional journey that we hope stays with them once the credits roll,” Ms Atkinson said.
“I can’t wait for people to see this narrative.”
At its core, Hush is more than a psychological thriller – it is a catalyst for conversation.
As the Gold Coast continues to foster a new wave of fearless filmmakers, Davis is fast emerging as a talent to watch, both on-screen and behind the lens.
With a Best Actor nomination already to her name, numerous TV commercials, involvement in Hollywood productions on the Gold Coast, plus several short film credits, Davis’s trajectory is firmly on the rise.
