Japan has Godzilla, Egypt has Mummies, and the UK has the plague. What would you do if you were vacationing on a secluded island and some stranger shows up to telling you that a disease is sweeping the mainland killing everything in it's path? Would you believe him?
With a bit of help from brilliant actors: Cillian Murphy, Thandie Newton, and Jamie Bell this idea is explored in a promising debut from writer-director Carl Tibbets. Although a little slow the focus of the movie is tight as the plot continually shifts leaving the audience guessing until the last possible moment whether what the stranger is saying is true or just the rantings of an insane sociopath.
The story revolves aroung Kate and Martin (Newton & Murphy) whose marriage has crumbled following the stillbirth of their child. In an attempt to patch their marriage they go on holiday to the place they fell in love, a remote island off the coast of Scotland. They are ferried to the island by the caretaker Doug who tells them if anything goes wrong just radio over and he will be out to help as soon as he can. The cottage being old and isolated has constant problems with the generator and eventually it breaks down completely. They radio over to Doug but receive no response. Within a day or two a soldier, Jack, shows up on the island telling tales of a deadly airborne virus that has found its way from South America to the rest of the world and is running rampant, infecting everyone on the mainland. He explains that the only way to survive is to seclude themselves on the island and seal up the house. He also informs them that if anyone comes to the island they will have to kill them in order to preserve themselves. Kate and Martin are unsure whether to believe him. Kate thinks he is suspicious while Martin thinks he may be telling the truth but because they have had no contact from Doug or anyone since they came to the island they go along with the plan. As time goes on Jack's behavior becomes increasingly erratic. One day he spots people on the island and panics. He tells the couple that the island has been infiltrated and forces them into hiding. That night he unseals a skylight, leaves the house, and kills the people. The next day he is told by Kate and Martin that they want to leave, he tells them they cannot and threatens them with a gun holding them captive. Knowing they must escape they watch Jack closely, when they realize that he is leaving the house at night Martin follows him and finds the bodies of Doug and his wife. He also finds a shotgun and shells. Taking the shotgun he goes back to the house, tells Kate what he found, and waits for Jack. When Jack comes back they confront him. Seeing the shotgun he knows Martin has gone outside and tells him he really shouldn't have done that. Taking that as a threat Martin goes after Jack but stops midway and begins coughing violently then collapses. Kate picks up the shotgun and demands Jack tell her the truth. What she finds out is more horrifying than what she was originally led to believe.
The film is one hour twenty-six minutes. It has enough substance to keep you interested and the end has a bit of a surprise but don't expect to jump in your seat, this movie is a thinker not a slasher.
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