Brian Philip Davis
Brian Philip Davis | |
|---|---|
 Brian Philip Davis, August 2024 | |
| Born | December 12, 1981 Lisburn, Northern Ireland |
| Occupation | Film editor |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Known for | Hokum Oddity Bad Day for the Cut Boys from County Hell |
Brian Philip Davis (born 12 December 1981) is a film and television editor from Northern Ireland. His editing credits include the feature films Bad Day for the Cut (2017), Boys from County Hell (2020), Oddity (2024), and Hokum (2026). He is a member of British Film Editors (BFE), Irish Screen Editors (ISE), and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
Early life and career
[edit]Davis was raised in Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland, later establishing his editing suite in Belfast.[1] He studied Visual Communication at Ulster University, initially intending to pursue a career in graphic design. During his studies, he began experimenting with post-production using domestic DV tapes and iMovie, editing short films and music videos.[2] Davis directed and edited official music videos for Oppenheimer[3] and Two Door Cinema Club.[4]
After editing several short films in various genres, he subsequently collaborated with Chris Baugh on his thriller Bad Day for the Cut (2017), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. This established a multi-project partnership with Baugh, leading Davis to edit the horror-comedy Boys from County Hell (2020) and serve as lead editor on the BBC Three comedy-horror series Wreck (2022–2024).
Independent genre cinema
[edit]In 2024, Davis edited director Damian McCarthy's supernatural horror film Oddity, which went on to win the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best International Movie in 2025.[5] His work on the film focused extensively on structural pacing, and managing tension around the film's signature jump scares.[6][7] In a review for Variety, critic Carlos Aguilar noted that "McCarthy and editor Brian Philip Davis deploy high-voltage moments with expert timing, using the dark to their favor in refreshing fashion."[8]
Davis reunited with McCarthy for the 2026 horror film Hokum, starring Adam Scott and released by Neon.[1][9] Reviewing the film for RogerEbert.com, critic Brian Tallerico lauded the technical execution, writing: "McCarthy works with editor Brian Philip Davis to give “Hokum” its rhythms. We’re prone to praising editing often as “most” instead of best, usually looking at action blockbusters as the peak of the form, but the art of editing a horror film is essential to its success."[10]
Also in 2026, he edited The Incomer, a folk comedy directed by Louis Paxton and starring Domhnall Gleeson, which won the NEXT Innovator Award at the Sundance Film Festival.[11] Davis is represented by United Talent Agency (UTA).
Media and panel appearances
[edit]He has featured as a guest on film-craft podcasts including The Rough Cut[12] and the /Film Weekly podcast, where he breaks down his approach to editing indie horror.[13]
Selected filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Made in Belfast | Paul Kennedy | Feature film |
| 2017 | The Cured | David Freyne | Additional editor |
| 2017 | Bad Day for the Cut | Chris Baugh | Premiered at Sundance Film Festival |
| 2018 | The Devil's Doorway | Aislinn Clarke | Feature film |
| 2020 | Boys from County Hell | Chris Baugh | Feature film |
| 2021 | Here Before | Stacey Gregg | Feature film |
| 2021 | Let the Wrong One In | Conor McMahon | Feature film |
| 2024 | Oddity | Damian McCarthy | Feature film |
| 2025 | World Breaker | Brad Anderson | Feature film |
| 2026 | Hokum | Damian McCarthy | Released by Neon |
| 2026 | The Incomer | Louis Paxton | Winner of the Sundance NEXT Innovator Award[11] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Stumpy's Brae | Chris Baugh | TV Movie; BBC One |
| 2021 | Dalgliesh | Andy and Ryan Tohill | TV Series (2 episodes); Channel 5 / Acorn TV |
| 2022–2024 | Wreck | Chris Baugh, Louis Paxton | TV Series (8 episodes); BBC Three |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Meredith, Robbie (2026-04-24). "Ballynahinch editor brings 'clean' eye to new Hollywood horror Hokum from his Belfast home". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Coleman, Rohan (2026-05-14). ""Storytelling is One of our Skills – it's in our DNA." Hokum Editor Brian Philip Davis on Crafting Irish Horror". Film Ireland. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer – Official Video. YouTube. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Two Door Cinema Club. Two Door Cinema Club – Official Video. YouTube. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ "2025 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Winners". Fangoria. 2025-10-15. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Vandekerckhove, Gisela (2024-09-20). "Master an Authentic Jump Scare With 'Oddity' Editor Brian Philip Davis". No Film School. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Maher, Michael (2024-10-31). "Inside the editing room of Oddity: Brian Philip Davis on crafting horror with a twist". Production Hub. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Aguilar, Carlos (2024-04-16). "'Oddity' Review: Atmospheric Irish Chiller". Variety. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Ettenhofer, Valerie (2026-05-02). "Hokum's Editor Reveals How The Movie's Scariest Scene Came Together". /Film. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ Tallerico, Brian (2026). "'Hokum' Movie Review & Film Summary (2026)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ a b "The Complete List of 2026 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners". Sundance Institute. 2026-01-30. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ ""Hokum" editor Brian Philip Davis reunites with director Damian McCarthy". The Rough Cut (Podcast). Matt Feury. 2026-05-04. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
- ^ "Neon's Horror Movie Hokum: Interview with Editor Brian Philip Davis". /Film Weekly Podcast (Podcast). 2026-05-06. Retrieved 2026-06-02.