A new film based on the true story of a Sheffield man who died following long-term addiction to prescription painkillers is scheduled to begin filming in the city this March.
Hooked, written by Rotherham filmmaker Jade Strain, explores the stigma of narcotic addiction and mental health, as well as systemic failures within recovery services.
The short 15-minute film is in memory of Caleb Hancock, who died of a tramadol overdose in December 2024 aged 27 while in supported living accommodation provided for his addiction recovery.
Jade, from Swinton, knew Caleb through a mutual friend who she was with when they received the news of Caleb’s death.
“Caleb was a typical 27-year-old in many ways: funny, kind and easy to be around. It’s become so normalised to pass away in housing meant for recovery that his death didn’t even make local news,” says Jade. “Writing the script was the only way I knew how to process the senselessness of what had happened.”
Jade has developed the story with the full support of Caleb’s mother Joanne. She wants to tell the story of her youngest son honestly and without sensationalism with the hope of raising awareness of how easily addiction can begin and the stigma associated with getting help.
Caleb was initially prescribed tramadol by his GP for severe headaches. The strong painkiller, a synthetic opioid, is highly addictive and Caleb developed a dependence on the drug.
“He changed so much when he was taking tramadol. He’d previously been a lovely person, funny and gave the best hugs. He was my best friend. But we lost him for a long time,” Joanne says.
“He lied constantly to the point that we never knew when he was telling the truth. He would become angry and withdrawn, and the only time he liked doing anything was when he was on drugs.”
Joanne says they received no help from Caleb’s GP despite constantly calling for them to stop the prescription which went unheard.
After he died, Joanne found out through the coroner that Caleb had been given 120 tablets despite a note on his medical records that said he was not to be given any opiates unless in small amounts.
Like thousands of others, Caleb was also failed by the recovery service.
“When he entered recovery, each service operated in isolation rather than collaboration. They passed responsibility instead of offering any real support.
“His mum’s only wish is that this film leads to reflection on how the recovery system currently operates as, for many people, it’s simply not working. We want to get people talking and pushing for change before it’s too late,” says Jade.
Hooked will be Jade’s directorial debut, but she says the project is not about commercial success, with plans to circulate it freely once it’s released in May.
The BFI-shortlisted script received a £500 grant from The Cutlers Charitable Trust and Jade has been crowdfunding to raise the £6,500 needed to bring the film into production.
She’s also proud to have partnered with Forward Trust, a charity which supports people affected by substance misuse, mental health needs and complex life experiences, to raise awareness of how this isn’t a marginalised issue in society.
Last year, 6,751 people died from a drug poisoning and South Yorkshire’s drug death statistics are up to two-times higher than the national average.
Emmerdale actor, Macaulay Cooper, is stepping into the lead role as ‘Jacob’ who gets cut off from prescription medication and must navigate a care system that refuses to see him as human.
On his role, Macaulay says: “The thing I love about acting and storytelling is you get to touch on subjects that are a bit taboo. So if we can go out there and bring about change and get people talking then we know we’ve done our job properly.”
Also joining the cast are James Bayes, Kris Macjames and Jamie Fitzpatrick as Jacob’s housemates, Megan Paul as a drug dealer, and Julia Bisby as the under-pressure doctor that ultimately fails Jacob.
Heather Crompton, who’s previously worked on The Bay and House of Dragon, is director of photography, while the producer is Catherine Walker, known for her work on Location, Location, Location and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Filming begins in Sheffield on Friday 6th March with a planned release in May.
To find out more about Hooked or how to donate to the crowdfunding appeal, visit www.hookedtheshortfilm.co.uk
