Rent The Vanishing (2018)

Very slow, Far-fecthec, Predictable, Scottish-Scandinavian Co-Production - The Vanishing review by PV

I agree with others that this is worth 2 stars at most.

It's slow, and I mean REALLY slow, and also very depressing and occasionally violent BUT it is set on a rock with a lighthouse, so it's hard to see how anyone can make an exciting film from that.

It's all a fantasy. What probably happened with the 'true story' this story is based on is that the 3 lighthouse keepers were washed away by a big wave when they were fishing on rocks.

This confused story, with some mysterious 'gold' theme, is sheer Boy's Own fantasy.

I did not believe the sudden decent into madness of one character either or what he did.

Too Scottish for my liking too. Taxpayer-funded by state subsidy, remember.

Waste of talent - The Vanishing review by CP Customer

Even the presence of the excellent Peter Mullan can't rescue this over-cooked tale.

The story leaps along with no real attempt to make things logical or credible, and the potentially interesting setting (a remote island lighthouse) is wasted.

Really disappointing.

Dull and too long - The Vanishing review by cr

I agree with the other reviewers. V dull and long film about murder on a rock. Too much of the camera focusing on characters as they brood while looking out to sea. Not recommended.

Pinter meets Winner. - The Vanishing review by SS

"The Vanishing " sets a claustrophobic backdrop to inter-generational and greed vs wisdom clashes between three lighthouse men.Based on the poem "Flannan Isle" ,the film takes its theme from the real-life disappearance of the keepers of Flannan Isle Lighthouse. Terse dialogue degenerates into graphic violence as the three seek to hold on to gold that washed up on the island in a dinghy accompanied by a psychopathic mariner whom the youngest member of the team dispatches with a traditional rock to the side of the head. As each member of the lighthouse crew probe each other's character in light of their acquisition, two Norwegian sailors turn up looking for their loot.The following scenes could be titled" The Birthday Party" meets "Straw Dogs" -the ensuing violence is personal and graphic...and I have to say, too much for me as the character exploration is smothered by paranoid acts involving ropes and blunt objects.

Fails to Deliver - The Vanishing review by IG

Promises a lot but ultimately fails to deliver and is rather dull. The plot is fairly simple but had the scope for a more intriguing narrative and some suspense, watch something else.

A Scottish version of A Simple Plan - The Vanishing review by CP Customer

Tense, well-acted but its hard to overlook the fact that it is very similar to Sam Raimi's A Simple Plan. Especially as it sluggishly reaches its conclusion.

Overall I enjoyed it though

Mystery Thriller - The Vanishing review by GI

A nicely watchable mystery thriller that has a story created around an actual legendary mystery. Three crew arrive at a remote Scottish lighthouse for a six week tour, experienced keepers Thomas (Peter Mullan) and James (Gerard Butler) and novice Donald (Connor Swindells). The morning after a particularly bad storm they find a lifeboat washed up containing a sole crew member who has a mysterious box with him. The decisions the three make that morning has devastating affects on all of them. There's a good story here, and windswept lighthouses are perfect for mystery stories such as this. The three lead actors are all on fine form and Butler especially is channelling his more vulnerable side after so many action heroics in recent films. Well worth an evenings viewing.