The Vanishing

This psychological drama is primarily about three protagonists on an isolated island, and about an event that complicated their lives. It is impressive thanks to the location and its atmosphere, acting performances and thrilling – and chilling – scenes of the struggle to stay alive. Another positive aspect of the movie is that it’s based on a real event involving the mysterious disappearance of the lighthouse keepers (this is not a spoiler; we learn this at the beginning of the film). I was very pleased to see two unexpected guests in the cast. [Sitges FF] (12/10/2018)

A director who worked on the series Taboo now presents his first feature debut starring Gerard Butler and Peter Mullan. Three guys go to an isolated island to guard a lighthouse for a six-week shift, but find a chest of gold and, as is usually the case, someone wants it. The first hour is excellent, the cabin fever works well here, it's also decently suspenseful and above all well acted. It's a shame that in the second half the film runs out of breath and has nothing to really grab your attention. Still, for a debut, a decent old-school work from a novel setting, and seeing a deranged Butler is worth it. 60% (07/01/2019)

In a style reminiscent of Raimi’s A Simple Plan, Keepers is a psychological thriller about three lighthouse keepers who become somewhat overwhelmed by mental strain caused by loneliness, leaking mercury and a wooden chest with a treasure. Kristoffer Nyholm (one of the directors of the recent Taboo) doesn’t have to be ashamed of his feature-length debut. It is a nicely shot tormenting sailor story. My only complaint would be the slightly slack ending – a more vigorous and drastic conclusion would be quite welcome. However, the film is dominated by accurate casting, especially in the case of Gerard Butler and his role. Keepers is definitely worth watching. [Sitges 2018] (15/10/2018)

An old wives-tale inspired by a real event about three lighthouse keepers who mysteriously disappeared from an isolated island. However, the starkly realistic and psychological rather than dramatic film depicts the reasons for the "mysterious" disappearance as purely prosaic and, through the character performances of three men in the lead roles, tells of how hunger for money, fear, conscience and loneliness gradually change and destroy people. (11/10/2018)