In a last-ditch attempt to save their failing marriage after the stillbirth of their first child, Kate and Martin escape London for a retreat to the beautiful, yet remote and unpopulated Blackholme Island, which is off the west coast of Scotland.
Their relationship is already fragile and anxieties are pushed higher when they lose all contact with the mainland and after a heavy storm, an injured man is washed up on the shore.
Dressed in military fatigues and carrying a gun, the mysterious stranger regains consciousness and identifies himself as a British soldier called Private Jack Corman.
Soon he reveals that he carries a deadly message - an airborne virus is sweeping Europe and all their lives are under threat unless they take drastic action..
Part paranoia thriller, part Dead Calm, retreat sees the old adage of having 3 prolific actors confined to one set at the start of the second act, and let them rip.
It has mixed results though. The three actors are great in their respective roles, it's just the script is very average, and at times where tension is supposed to be the main attraction, it becomes a little boring.
Bell is the best thing about this. His brooding psycho is unhinged, and we are asking the question numerous times, is the little scamp making it all up? With films like this, of course there is a twist of sorts, or else it wouldn't make any sense, but the way it's handles isn't the best.
Murphy is obviously the weak husband, as hes an architect, so newton must be the hard woman, as shes been through a small tragedy.
The atmosphere of the film is good, and the third act really does make up for the mundane first two.
The end does smack you round the face, but you really have to work hard to get there.
A bit of a wasted opportunity, but worth it for the performances.
Their relationship is already fragile and anxieties are pushed higher when they lose all contact with the mainland and after a heavy storm, an injured man is washed up on the shore.
Dressed in military fatigues and carrying a gun, the mysterious stranger regains consciousness and identifies himself as a British soldier called Private Jack Corman.
Soon he reveals that he carries a deadly message - an airborne virus is sweeping Europe and all their lives are under threat unless they take drastic action..
Part paranoia thriller, part Dead Calm, retreat sees the old adage of having 3 prolific actors confined to one set at the start of the second act, and let them rip.
It has mixed results though. The three actors are great in their respective roles, it's just the script is very average, and at times where tension is supposed to be the main attraction, it becomes a little boring.
Bell is the best thing about this. His brooding psycho is unhinged, and we are asking the question numerous times, is the little scamp making it all up? With films like this, of course there is a twist of sorts, or else it wouldn't make any sense, but the way it's handles isn't the best.
Murphy is obviously the weak husband, as hes an architect, so newton must be the hard woman, as shes been through a small tragedy.
The atmosphere of the film is good, and the third act really does make up for the mundane first two.
The end does smack you round the face, but you really have to work hard to get there.
A bit of a wasted opportunity, but worth it for the performances.