We start with a group of friends heading out on a small yacht for a day cruise. The group comprises Jess, Greg, Victor, Sally, Downey and a new friend, Heather. Jess is acting a little out of character but says she's just tired - and indeed, once they get underway, she heads into the cabin to snooze for a couple of hours. She wakes, startled, after a bad dream (which we see), but can't quite remember what it was about.
The day continues for a time as they reach deeper waters. Before long, a really weird situation unfolds: the wind completely drops and as they look to the horizon, a wicked storm approaches. They do what they can at short notice, but the storm is violent and chaos reigns. The boat is capsized, leaving the survivors clinging to the upturned hull - and Heather is nowhere to be found.
Just as they are sitting wondering what to do next, they spot a huge ocean liner heading their way called the Aeolus. They wave furiously, and it pulls alongside close enough for them to hop onto the boarding platform and head up the steps. But when they get inside, the ship appears completely empty. Not a living soul in sight.
From here on in, the film plays out like a Greek tragedy - evoking Sisyphus and Aeolus - turning into a thriller about a person trapped in a task they cannot escape, desperately trying to push a 'boulder' up a hill while hoping for a different outcome. You'll likely know about time-loop films if you're reading this (Groundhog Day, Happy Death Day, Edge of Tomorrow), but it's important to note that this is certainly not a simple 'wake up, die, repeat' setup. The film's gripping thrills lie in how its timelines overlap and collide. Characters encounter different versions of themselves and others simultaneously, making for a truly brain-bending experience!
The ship itself is eerie and feels like a haunted vessel, abandoned and decaying, which makes for a great atmosphere from start to finish. To add to this, Christian Henson’s haunting score (featuring the track 'Lullaby') brings a constant sense of inescapable dread, giving the whole film a feverish, nightmare-like quality.
Melissa George’s performance as Jess is brilliant throughout, depicting raw parental anxiety, exhaustion and deep-seated regret. Underneath the slasher/sci-fi surface lies a deeply tragic story about how far a mother will go to fix her mistakes. The rest of the cast do exceptionally well, too. Thankfully, the director doesn't waste time on excessive setup; we pretty much only see what we need to in order to try to unpick the puzzle and enjoy the mystery.
It has been hard to write this without spoiling the experience, but hopefully I haven't given too much away! It's rightfully renowned as one of the most underrated, clever psychological thrillers of the 2000s. I'd encourage you to go in as blind as possible and pay close attention to every minute of the build-up and the actions of the characters, especially in the first half. And then watch it again to enjoy spotting all the clues you missed the first time around! I did find a 17-minute YouTube video by Thomas Thorogood in which offered a deep analysis of what was going on, if you fancy having a look at that (or can't work it out)!
I did also see plenty of 'triangles' weaved into the visuals, which was a nice nod, and Room 237 with writing on mirrors? Surely The Shining's in there too! A super film, well worth tracking down. It's streaming all over the place now and certainly doesn't feel in any way dated, despite being made over 15 years ago. Highly recommended.
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