Islands (2025)

Jan-Ole Gerster's intriguing neo-noir thriller didn't get much of a wide release in the UK, which is a shame, because there's plenty to like about it. Sam Riley is on excellent form as Tom, a tennis coach at a holiday resort in Fuerteventura who is becoming increasingly disillusioned at his aimless existence of coaching, drinking, and having various one night stands. That is, until a British family arrive in the form of Anne (Stacy Martin) and Dave (Jack Farthing) and Tom begins coaching their young son, and becomes drawn into spending time with the family. Although it's still hard to shake his astonishing portrayal of Ian Curtis in Anton Cobijn's Control from my mind whenever I see him on screen, Riley is perfectly cast as the directionless Tom, slowly slipping into alcoholism and drifting his way through his days at the resort. He has barely any responsibilities, no money troubles, no friends, no nothing really. So when he becomes strangely drawn into this family's world, we know not all is as it seems. Something happens arounds the halfway mark which I won't give away, but it gives the story an extra drive. You're already invested in the film simply because you want answers to the questions the film is posing- and despite the fact it might initially seem that Tom is just happy of the company, there's glances between him and Anne that suggest several different things. But you're never quite sure what exactly it is, and the way Islands plays out means that it becomes more and more enthralling. This is minimalist noir however, nothing explosive or fast paced- it often reminds you of Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice although Gerster's film is a far simpler affair. The conclusion to these story strands will split people, and although it might not be the satisfying blunt explanation and easy cut off point you might desire, Gerster must be given credit for the subtlety the film shows throughout, including the ending depending on how you wish to read it. For me it might not quite be the ending I was expecting or wanting- and there's no doubting it ends abruptly in its final shot- but Gerster's film is quietly gripping, aided by an excellent central performance from Riley. It might ultimately be futile and not up there with the finest of the genre, but Islands is a worthy calling card for Gerster and deserves to be seen. 7.3/10