Island Zero

Island Zero is a chilling, suspense-filled horror film released in 2018. The movie is directed by Josh Gerritsen, based on a screenplay written by Tess Gerritsen. Set against the backdrop of an isolated fishing island off the coast of Maine, Island Zero tells a riveting tale of survival, mystery, and unexpected terror, which delicately balances human drama and horror tropes.

The story follows the residents of a small island off the Maine coast who discover that they are cut off from the rest of the world. Directed by Josh Gerritsen, the film begins by highlighting the close-knit community and the strong bond of the island inhabitants, who depend heavily on a daily ferry service for essential supplies and their connection with the mainland.

The characters are deftly portrayed by the talented ensemble of a cast, including Laila Robins, Adam Wade McLaughlin, and Teri Reeves, embodying a sense of genuineness that makes the plot’s impending sense of doom all the more palpable. Laila Robins plays Ruth, a divorced, grey-haired, and modestly dressed resident who is socially active and connected with fellow islanders. Adam Wade McLaughlin captures viewers' attention with his portrayal of Sam, a marine biologist studying the decreasing fish population in the area. Teri Reeves steps into the shoes of Lucy, a strong, determined nurse who cares deeply for the island inhabitants and is never far from the action.

The tranquility of their insular lifestyle shatters when the regular ferry service abruptly stops coming, leaving the inhabitants confused and eventually panicked. The only link to the mainland fails to return without any indication of mishap, the phone and internet connections cease to function, and those who venture out into the water on their boats never return - it's as if the island has been erased from existence.

As the days turn into weeks, supplies dwindle, fear escalates and a disconcerting fact dawns upon them – they are not alone. The surrounding ocean appears paradoxically lifeless and ominously threatening. A marine biologist, Sam, has been studying the mysterious disappearance of the local fish not knowing what this might imply. Meanwhile, Ruth, a local author who has a knack for unraveling mysteries, starts realizing a horrifyingly possible explanation of their predicament.

The inhabitants are left to their own devices in this nightmarish situation, where it's not just the isolation and the lack of supplies they have to worry about. They are trapped on the island with an unseen force that lurks beneath the surface—a force that is making it impossible for anyone to leave or come to their rescue.

A distinctive characteristic of Island Zero is its ability to slowly build unease and suspense, utilizing the setting and the human element to the fullest. The eerie quiet of the surrounding sea, the fog-enshrouded landscape, and the encircling isolation of the rampant waters all contribute to a haunting atmospheric horror. The movie’s ominous tone is enhanced by use of grim shadows, cold color palette, and chilling sound design, engaging the audience to the point where they, too, feel a part of the island’s isolation and begin to sense the amorphous menace that emerges from the fringes to the center stage in a slow, calculated fashion.

As the plot unfolds, the movie delves into deeper psychological and social themes, delving into shared relationships and friction between the inhabitants. The island’s external crisis can be viewed as a metaphor for a crumbling society, surfacing polarized attitudes among the islanders, fear-based prejudice, a loss of civility under pressure, fishing industry issues, and the survival of the fittest.

Island Zero stands out as a psychological horror film that relies more on atmospheric chills and the viewer's imagination instead of graphic violence or jump scares. The movie delivers a slow-burn fright experience, playing on human fear of the unknown and the unseen. The suspenseful narrative, solid performances, and adept direction make 'Island Zero' a must-watch for those who appreciate a well-crafted, thoughtful horror film. The movie successfully communicates a clear message: that sometimes, the true horror is not what lurks beneath the water, but what happens among us when all filters of civilization are stripped away, exposing our primal instincts.