A Scent (2026) celebrates its West Coast premiere at HollyShorts Film Festival 2026 held in Hollywood, California. Writer-director Johnny Russell alongside co-writer Archie Thomson brings to life a sensitive short film based on the true story of Joy Milne. Josie Walker plays Nancy, a Scottish scrub nurse who begins to detect a mysterious scent during a routine operation. But she soon discovers this is her miraculous extrasensory ability to detect disease or more specifically neurological illness.
Nancy then uses her talent for goodwill and detects Parkinson’s early in a husband of a patient – Rauri (Rob Jarvis) who initially dismisses his symptoms. One of the most powerful scenes shows Walker and Jarvis discussing his new behaviours. There’s so much subtlety behind their faces. This presents not only great acting by its leads but great direction by Russell.
A Scent: Showcasing Kindness, Sensitivity & Compassion
But what we learn from A Scent is how tough it is to face the reality of illness and disease. And ultimately break it to loved ones. She places a wall of defence against herself, her profession, and her husband – lead surgeon, Gavin (Cal MacAninch). Nancy denies it within herself that the scent for which she is able to detect Parkinson’s disease always appears when her husband is around. Their marriage is slightly rocky, and their communication is rather poor. But they are both denying reality.
Whilst Gavin struggles to admit the facts of his symptoms, Nancy finds it even tougher to break the news that the ‘scent’ of disease surrounds him. Russell brings the perfect balanced level of kindness, sensitivity, and compassion to this story. Whilst Nancy desperately advocates for trials to test her theory, she must persuade head nurse, Tahira (Laura Rollins) to believe in and run with her idea. Despite Gavin’s dismissal of such a talent. Russell instinctively brings a sense of realism through Nancy’s story. Her beliefs are overlooked and is a lived experience for many working in medical and institutional environments.
Speaking Up For What You Believe Is Right
Russell speaks on the hardworking staff at the NHS and their underappreciated efforts in A Scent. This is a particularly important and relevant message to our post-Covid world of today. At first the film feels like a psychological thriller with its darkly rich colour grading. Then in the Third Act, cinematographer Max Brunner washes the screen with lighter colours to present Nancy’s discovery breakthrough in this compelling character drama.
This film is a token of support for the thousands of underpaid, overworked NHS nurses by acting as a metaphor for the miracles that these kind-hearted medical staff perform everyday.
Writer-director, Johnny Russell
Yet it’s also a story of speaking up for what you believe is right and not letting doubt fill your mind. Nancy never gives up in her belief and despite Gavin’s upmost denial, she still stands her ground. MacAninch portrays a husband with a heartbreaking vulnerability that reminds us of the fragility of life.
Despite its bittersweet ending of rekindling their romance amongst a devastating diagnosis, it’s clearly a journey both characters had to take to fulfil a more enjoyable life together. The film is supported by Parkinson’s UK. And Russell closely collaborated with Virtual Motion Dance, who support people living with Parkinson’s through their movement classes. This added an extra layer of authenticity to the portrayal of living with Parkinson’s.
A Scent mixes its tone and develops from a dark exploration to a sentimental story of hope and resilience. After they overcome this hurdle of vulnerability, ultimately Nancy and Gavin repair their marriage and attempt to seek solitude amid his diagnosis.
Rating: 4 ½ stars
A Scent is part of Filmotomy’s coverage on HollyShorts Film Festival 2026.
You can read more reviews from the festival, including FarEye here.
