This is the third of several film short reviews from this year’s HollyShorts Film Festival (13-23 Aug).
A Scent (Johnny Russell, 2026)
The story of Joy Milne, a nurse who could smell a subtle, musky odour on those who have Parkinson’s Disease, is the inspiration for Johnny Russell’s short film, A Scent, which is part of this year’s HollyShorts film festival.
Josie Walker and Cal Macaninch are the married couple at its centre. She is troubled by this weird smell she gets a whiff of, and he – a doctor – is frustrated while thinking she’s making it up or exaggerated.
Although A Scent is very small-scale, screenwriters Johnny Russell and Archie Thomson have written a tight script that lacks sentimentality, with a strong trio of performances from Walker, Macaninch, and Laura Rollins, who plays a supportive colleague to both.
When nurse Nancy notices A Scent both at work and at home, matters come to a head during quarrels and professional quibbles. In the hospital, a patient and a difficult conversation may lead to a breakthrough.
To put this story across in such a short running time takes compassion and a real gift for storytelling. I would rank A Scent very highly in both.
This film is officially supported by Parkinson’s UK, and although the ending is decidedly downbeat, it doesn’t feel at all depressing as a viewer. It is all about communication, support, and listening when someone has an inkling something is wrong.
It has often been reported that domestic pets can sense illness through smell, and it isn’t such a leap to suppose some humans may have this ability.
I wasn’t aware of Milne’s story before, but I found A Scent informative and well-balanced.
A Scent is part of this month’s HollyShorts Film Festival.