Horror films and advertising are not exactly a natural fit, at least on paper. But when the cause is just, and the idea is good enough you’d be surprised what creatives can pull out of the bag. Such is the case with this oddly sinister short film, created by the Department for Opportunities - the Social Mobility Foundation's advocacy and campaigning arm.

Following on from the success of last year’s Class Polish campaign, which used comedian, Fern Brady to highlight the ridiculous of classism in the workplace, this year’s campaign takes a more sinister turn to raise awareness of the Class Pay Gap. As a man from a working-class background that’s worked in the creative industries for the best part of two decades now, I can honestly say it rings depressingly true.

Once again partnering with Creature London, the Department for Opportunities has created a short Horror Film starring Michael Socha (This is England, Being Human, Chernobyl), Jo Hartley (This is England, Eddie the Eagle, After Life) and Jonathan Hyde (Titanic, Jumanji, The Queen).  

Directed by Thomas James and produced by OB Management, Stay Down is set in a typical corporate office. We see our working-class hero (Michael Socha) doing everything expected of him, yet still having to navigate constant subversive discrimination. Including from his elitist boss, superbly played by screen legend Jonathan Hyde.

The film dramatises the insidious, unseen nature of classism as a sinister presence, striving to hold our hero down physically, and mentally, while strangely sparing others around him. It’s a disturbingly surreal yet ultimately recognisable story, wrapped up as a seemingly real upcoming blockbuster – complete with a stunning cast.

The film, with media planning by Wavemaker, will be released on the 1^st November with an exclusive screening event at the Roundhouse and will be livestreamed and available to all by the Roundhouse, British Film Institute and the Department for Opportunities.  

Speaking on the creation of the campaign, John Osborne, Creative Director at Creature London says: “Classism survives when it’s allowed to hide in the shadows. We knew we had to continue our unexpected category approach to cut through and shine attention on the issue. To get people talking, of course, but ultimately to apply pressure on those in power holding others down simply because of their background.”

Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Department for Opportunities and Social Mobility Foundation, added: “The very existence of a class pay gap is horrifying. Our campaign is designed to shock employers into action, particularly the creative and arts sectors, which have so much work to do."

The trailer for the film also acts as the hero ad in the campaign and features a haunting rendition of the Radiohead classic “No Surprises.” It works incredibly well as a standalone piece of creative but that doesn’t mean I won’t be checking the finished film out tomorrow. I do love a good satirical horror film, after all. And Charlie Brooker and Jordan Peele can only hold the monopoly on such movies for so long, right?