Review: The Vanishing (2018)

Inspired by the mystery of the Flannen Isles, three lighthouse keepers discover a broken up boat, an apparent body and a locked chest...

In 1900, three lighthouse keepers disappeared from Flannen Isle, a remote island off the coast of Scotland. No trace of them was ever found and it is still a mystery to this day. The Vanishing formerly known as Keepers (a far better title in my opinion) bases it's story on this mystery.

The film is written by Joe Bone and Celyn Jones. And it's a very well written film. For the first part of the film, it is essentially a 3-hander as we spend time with the keepers as the go about their daily routines and in turn we get to know each character.

Thomas the eldest is in charge, a man haunted by his own past. James is a family man, having to leave them behind to go to this remote island. Donald, the youngest, newly taken on and still getting to know how things are done, while Thomas and James have worked together for some time.

As we get to know the men, we, the audience, get a sense of the island, a windswept, battered place, remote and in its own way an unsettling place.

I have to be honest, knowing very little about the film, not having seen a trailer for it, I was expecting the film to go into horror territory, some kind of supernatural force responsible for the disappearances.

To my surprise then, the film doesn't go the route. Instead after the discovery, it moves closer to thrillers such as A Simple Plan or even Shallow Grave, as the film explores what happens to good people when temptation is put in their way (I accept the good people is a bit of a stretch in Shallow Grave!). Especially after others arrive on the Isle.

The film is directed by Kristoffer Nyholm and he does it very well indeed. As I said, even before the events really begin, he creates an uneasy atmosphere, as if nature will be unforgiving to those on the island. When the film does venture into the thriller elements, he maintains a tight grip on proceedings, the violence brutal when it has to be.

The three leads are superb. Peter Mullan plays Thomas and is as good as ever. Connor Swindells plays Donald and although not an actor I've seen before, he too is very good. But perhaps the biggest surprise is Gerard Butler as James. He gets top billing, perhaps understandable, though I would say Thomas is the main character and is really good. His character here is more subdued than his normal ones and the script allows Butler to stretch his acting muscles in ways we perhaps aren't used to seeing. Personally, I'd like to see him take on more roles like this.

The cinematography by Jorgen Johansson is first rate, the music by Benjamin Wallfisch is good and the whole film is very well designed.

Of course it's hard to know what really happened on Flannen Isle. It's a mystery I doubt will ever be solved. But as a possible solution to the mystery, the events in The Vanishing are certainly compelling ones.

It's a great, low-key but gripping thriller. And one I would highly recommend.

Rating: 4/5