This is a decent movie. If you don't like slow burns or sci-fi this is not for you. The acting is solid and whilst the movie is slow, it has a good build of tension up to the ending. The first category on IMDB should not be horror. This isn't a horror. Its a sci-fi thriller and the ending is excellent in challenging your mind on the human condition etc. I read some reviews saying nothing was explained... I am not sure how you watch the movie and think that because its all explained and can be put together through what the movie shows us. Maybe some who watched it were looking more for a crazy horror ending and things to be explained on a silver platter? Again this movie isn't probably for you if you are looking for that. Rated it 6 as I wouldn't watch it again because now you know the outcome the tension wouldn't really build up in a 2nd viewing in my opinion. It is however a solid sci-fi with solid acting and an interesting take on humans and the universe. It left me thinking about it for a little while after, which is more than I can say for most netflix movies.
218 Reviews
Trying to give balance to some of the harsh reviews on here...
mudvayne-9024513 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
not as good as it tries to be
phenomynouss13 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Something felt a bit off about this film right from the beginning. I got the sense of "otherworldly dread" and surrealness it was trying to evoke with its music cues and atmosphere, but for some reason this didn't seem to properly work. It came across less as surreal and atmospheric and more like a bunch of stupid idiots willfully letting everyone around them think they're drunken lunatics.
Fisherman Tom and later his son Harry are inexplicably hearing random growling noises in static and end up usually blacking out and losing hours at a time, wherein they usually wake up to a mess around them. This leads everyone around Harry in particular to think he's getting blackout drunk and wrecking his house. Because they have to stick to the weird moody aura of the film, he doesn't bother explaining anything to anyone except getting belligerent and telling people he's not drunk.
Harry occasionally listens to some conspiracy theory-minded friend of his, who keeps pointing to the mass die-off of fish and birds in the region as being somehow related to what Harry is experiencing.
Unfortunately, so little is done with all of this that him being an idiot getting blackout drunk every night is the only thing that makes sense within the context of the movie itself. The film even briefly flirts with the idea that maybe this is some manner of mental or psychological trauma or damage Harry is suffering causing him to hallucinate, but absolutely nothing comes of this.
Instead, having failed to leave any substantive clues as to what is happening, the film is forced near the end to have an expo-dump basically reveal everything in the form of "local crazy guy who becomes increasingly belligerent as he explains everything, thus scaring off the very people who need to know what he has to say".
So little is made of this prior to the expo-dump that it almost feels like it was an idea added on long after filming began. Very little in the film would have to be changed if the BIG REVEAL were completely changed or removed altogether. There's just not enough content to work with here.
The story is instead one that would've worked much better as a short story. A very short story. Or at least a story with more imagination than this one.
Fisherman Tom and later his son Harry are inexplicably hearing random growling noises in static and end up usually blacking out and losing hours at a time, wherein they usually wake up to a mess around them. This leads everyone around Harry in particular to think he's getting blackout drunk and wrecking his house. Because they have to stick to the weird moody aura of the film, he doesn't bother explaining anything to anyone except getting belligerent and telling people he's not drunk.
Harry occasionally listens to some conspiracy theory-minded friend of his, who keeps pointing to the mass die-off of fish and birds in the region as being somehow related to what Harry is experiencing.
Unfortunately, so little is done with all of this that him being an idiot getting blackout drunk every night is the only thing that makes sense within the context of the movie itself. The film even briefly flirts with the idea that maybe this is some manner of mental or psychological trauma or damage Harry is suffering causing him to hallucinate, but absolutely nothing comes of this.
Instead, having failed to leave any substantive clues as to what is happening, the film is forced near the end to have an expo-dump basically reveal everything in the form of "local crazy guy who becomes increasingly belligerent as he explains everything, thus scaring off the very people who need to know what he has to say".
So little is made of this prior to the expo-dump that it almost feels like it was an idea added on long after filming began. Very little in the film would have to be changed if the BIG REVEAL were completely changed or removed altogether. There's just not enough content to work with here.
The story is instead one that would've worked much better as a short story. A very short story. Or at least a story with more imagination than this one.
Lack of empathy
ccmassan4 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Not a bad movie but it's weird the lack of empathy a daughter has over a missing father in early stages of the movie and even with his death. The story line for me falls short on the sentimental side of some characters and the phenomena itself its a big blur. The behaviours are unexplained, not even within the island itself but other places across the globe where the same issue happens but still not an clear explanation to the story itself. Is it the voices? What is this sound that controls the mind? I wouldnt classify this is horror. Purely psicological and the most disturbing for me is the short empaty and connection as a family that kills the movie for me. Watchable when you have nothing else too see and let your imagination picture the rest.
Why the hate?
ts-000012 March 2021
Waste of Time
macbell201211 March 2021
Very watchable.
Sleepin_Dragon20 March 2021
If you're only interested in horrors that are fast faced, gruesome, and action packed from the start, perhaps this isn't the film for you. If you like tension, implied horror, and have an imagination to fill in the gaps, this is very probably a time that you will enjoy.
The accompanying music is very much in keeping with the film, it adds to the atmosphere, and never intrudes. It's very nicely filmed, with some great shots of the sea, they make it look even more bleak and vast than we know it to be. The shots of the dead animals add a real sense of curiosity. The acting is excellent.
If you suffer anything associated with flashing lights, be aware that there are a few scenes in the middle part.
It's definitely a slow burner, but stick with it, it is definitely worth watching.
Very, very good, 7/10.
The accompanying music is very much in keeping with the film, it adds to the atmosphere, and never intrudes. It's very nicely filmed, with some great shots of the sea, they make it look even more bleak and vast than we know it to be. The shots of the dead animals add a real sense of curiosity. The acting is excellent.
If you suffer anything associated with flashing lights, be aware that there are a few scenes in the middle part.
It's definitely a slow burner, but stick with it, it is definitely worth watching.
Very, very good, 7/10.
Just bad
henrik-kronlykke11 March 2021
Somehow slow and boring in a bad way
ravenclaw_girlrules16 March 2021
I love slow movies where practically nothing happens plot wise (character development heavy). This was not that. Can anyone reading this tell me that you feel we got to know the characters well? This movie didn't have much to offer. I can tell they were going for modern Lovecraftian horror like The Endless (2017) but this movie did not have the same impact. There was nothing truly horrifying about this - the ending was probably the best part in terms of putting "catch and release" into perspective.
I found this a great sci-fi mystery
rlaine7 April 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this. For some reason I thought it'd be totally different and hesitated a bit to start watching, but glad I watched. It's not really horror, but more of a sci-fi mystery. Add Mulder and Scully and this would be a great x-files episode, with an atmospheric island setting.
Story is rather simple, a fisherman father starts acting weird and other weird things happen to fish and birds on an island. Fishermans adult son and his sisters try to figure out what happened. Story mostly revolves around the adult son who lived on the island with his dad.
Not much more to it really, sometimes less is more. The movie is directed and shot very nicely, acting is great too. Just very well crafted little movie, slow burner like many have mentioned. I was only a bit distracted by the name for some reason, it sounds (pun intended) like a different movie, aimed at younger crowd who will no doubt find this movie boring.
Story is rather simple, a fisherman father starts acting weird and other weird things happen to fish and birds on an island. Fishermans adult son and his sisters try to figure out what happened. Story mostly revolves around the adult son who lived on the island with his dad.
Not much more to it really, sometimes less is more. The movie is directed and shot very nicely, acting is great too. Just very well crafted little movie, slow burner like many have mentioned. I was only a bit distracted by the name for some reason, it sounds (pun intended) like a different movie, aimed at younger crowd who will no doubt find this movie boring.
This kind of movie is the only reason I haven't cancelled Netflix yet
contact-28220 March 2021
Lots of reviewers were expecting action and gore... this is not it. This is pure atmosphere driven. It's an "experience". Not for a moment I felt it was lacking something. Extremely well-written. Draws you in and makes you enjoy every minute of it. When it ended I just felt sad that it was over.
Good story, Excellence analogy/explanation at the end
peachesnmulder11 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The story is textbook and the acting is moderately good. But the ending....I'm surprised we haven't seen more movies with this ending and with this eye-opening chastisement. Worth the watch to get the gut punch in the end.
The Block Island Sound
henry8-311 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
On an island where vast numbers of fish and birds are found dead, the father of Sheffield and McManus is behaving very strangely - keeps taking his boat out for odd reasons, going into trances etc. When he dies in mysterious circumstances, Sheffield starts behaving the same way.
Whilst clearly this is operating on a very limited budget, the atmosphere and mystery surrounding what's happening is compelling and when you do ultimately get to the bottom of this, it is an interesting and intelligent notion. That said, it is a one trick pony with little to punctuate the linear storyline so perhaps overall, not enough to maintain full interest in where it's heading and it does ultimately overstay its welcome a tad.
Whilst clearly this is operating on a very limited budget, the atmosphere and mystery surrounding what's happening is compelling and when you do ultimately get to the bottom of this, it is an interesting and intelligent notion. That said, it is a one trick pony with little to punctuate the linear storyline so perhaps overall, not enough to maintain full interest in where it's heading and it does ultimately overstay its welcome a tad.
i usually don't agree with bad reviews unless the movie is really bad
kaefab11 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Honest to god this movie is a huge waste of time, i do understand they say budget etc.... but wow.
Almost nothing happens, sci fi ? what element.... horror ? tones of dead fish yes other then that ?
In the end i was expecting to see at least a monster or what was doing this noise.... or growl... nothing....
Complete waste of time don't even bother
Almost nothing happens, sci fi ? what element.... horror ? tones of dead fish yes other then that ?
In the end i was expecting to see at least a monster or what was doing this noise.... or growl... nothing....
Complete waste of time don't even bother
Much Better Than I Expected - With A Really Good Ending (For A Change)
sbfraser316 June 2021
Was it GREAT! ? No. Was it pretty good? Yes it was. A very cool concept for a ultra low budget flick. While the ending DID spoon feed you the conclusion, it was still a good one. Much much better than your average SF fare. Oh, spoiler alert - no blood, no gore - not really a "horror" flick by slasher standards.
This old guys kids really hate him.
draftdubya12 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The brother knows something is wrong with the father, buts keeps it a secret. The daughter emotionless says well he must have in the water and died. Even the cops seem not to even care about what happened to the old guy.
Meh horror, great suspense
screaming-moist13 March 2021
I'm really surprised this movie has such a low user score. I suspect a lot of it has to do with the fact that it's not really so much a horror movie as a suspense film with supernatural elements. If you're looking for jump scares with a big tentacle CGI monster, this definitely ain't it. It's unsettling as hell, and although the first half is, as others have said, a slow burn...the last half gives big X-files energy. I'd consider this a horror movie for people who don't like horror, and even if you do like horror I'd say give it a chance. Just don't expect blood and guts.
A very specific representation of my fathers life who had schizophrenia.
nicolepiercy13 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
My father has schizophrenia and was/is an alcoholic.
This movie touched me.
People tend to turn a blind eye on mental illness on their parents and those people feel like no one can relate. An awful tragic movie that I can relate too.
Not so good not so bad
erhanipekciler11 March 2021
Well, I finished and first of all, why they need a middleman, I have no idea... This is unnecessary for me. It was slow and a little lack of scary elements in this movie. Thanx God in final, they gave us a clue why this is happening. If you have a time you can watch but if don't, you will not miss anything.
Well written sci-fi mystery
mass-3294213 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this movie in spite of the bad reviews. And I was glad I did. Does it start out slow? Sure. But movies and television shows are a strange mix of ingredients where too little of one thing or too much of another can throw the movie/program off balance and make it unpalatable. This movie's characters were interesting enough to keep me watching until it built up enough steam to pull me along to a very surprising and satisfying ending.
Usually I despise a movie that needs the first half of the movie to define the characters. It's just bad writing that can't define the characters through the action of the movie. And I don't mean action in the sense of shoot-outs and car chases. I mean action in the sense of what propels the movie's premise to its logical or intended conclusion.
This is not what happens in this movie. The characters are revealed to us as the action unfolds. The mystery builds in Block Island Sound until its very unpredictable and unexpected conclusion. I'm pretty jaded so there are very few television or movie stories whose ending I can't predict. Not bragging, just old. But this movie took me by surprise.
Also surprising was the acting. It was quite good. "Anybody I've heard of?" Probably not, but I hope they stick with it because they were uncharacteristically good for a low budget sci-fi movie. Low budget? Sure. Low quality? Not at all. They didn't tackle anything they couldn't deliver.
Usually I despise a movie that needs the first half of the movie to define the characters. It's just bad writing that can't define the characters through the action of the movie. And I don't mean action in the sense of shoot-outs and car chases. I mean action in the sense of what propels the movie's premise to its logical or intended conclusion.
This is not what happens in this movie. The characters are revealed to us as the action unfolds. The mystery builds in Block Island Sound until its very unpredictable and unexpected conclusion. I'm pretty jaded so there are very few television or movie stories whose ending I can't predict. Not bragging, just old. But this movie took me by surprise.
Also surprising was the acting. It was quite good. "Anybody I've heard of?" Probably not, but I hope they stick with it because they were uncharacteristically good for a low budget sci-fi movie. Low budget? Sure. Low quality? Not at all. They didn't tackle anything they couldn't deliver.
UNSEEN MONSTERS ARE USUALLY THE SCARIEST.
andrewchristianjr17 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Unseen monsters are usually the scariest. They would have been had the theme been not already done-to-death and maybe having it set in an earlier time. Atmosphere of the film was good - cold dark isolated on an island with a small population. It was entertaining but could have a more climactic arc for the characters.
Are You Ready For The Truth???
wandernn1-81-6832743 April 2021
I'm very easily entertained.
dieseldog33317 May 2022
So it takes alot to piss me off about a movie or an ending. It was slow but I'm ok with that. Late at night I'm ok watching a slow moving movie as long as it makes sense. This one pissed me off. The ending wasn't worth the ending.
Not as bad
tooranim12 March 2021
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