The Vanishing

In December 1900, investigators stumbled upon an abandoned lighthouse off the west coast of Scotland, which was supposed to be manned by three lighthouse keepers. The mysterious disappearance of James Ducat, Thomas Marshall, and Donald MacArthur sparked intrigue and speculation surrounding their fates.

The mysterious events of the lighthouse became the inspiration for Wilfrid Wilson Gibson's famous poem, 'Flannan Isle.' This literary work captured the eerie atmosphere surrounding the disappearance and has contributed to the ongoing fascination with the mystery.

Over the years, numerous theories have arisen about the fate of the lighthouse keepers. Speculations range from murder by pirates, to wild animal attacks, and even extraterrestrial abduction, yet none have provided a satisfying explanation.

After a severe storm, Donald discovers the remnants of a dead man and a small rowboat at the bottom of a deep crevice. This startling discovery initiates a chain of events that unveils a hidden and dangerous truth.

When the young man, played by Connor Swindells, is lowered to investigate, the presumed dead man suddenly comes to life. A fierce struggle ensues, forcing the young man to make a harrowing choice between killing the man or being killed himself.

During the struggle, it is revealed that the man was guarding a small chest containing gold bars. This unexpected treasure introduces greed and violence into the narrative, complicating the survival dynamics among the characters.

The lure of the gold brings two additional men, portrayed by Soren Malling and Olafur Darri Olafsson, to the island. They are intent on finding the dead man, unaware of the chaos that has already unfolded among the lighthouse caretakers.

Throughout the film, the true motivations behind the characters' actions remain ambiguous. The narrative fails to clarify whether the events are driven by crime or psychological turmoil, leaving the viewer in a state of perplexity.

Tension escalates as character conflicts unfold, with moments of violence that feel disjointed from the storyline. The film attempts to create suspense, but the lack of clarity and direction detracts from the overall experience.

In a key moment, the character portrayed by Gerard Butler kills the young man, leaving viewers questioning the motivations behind this act of violence. The complexities of survival and human nature take center stage as the characters grapple with betrayal.

The tension culminates as the remaining caretakers turn on each other; Peter Mullan’s character holds Gerard Butler's character under the water, leading to his apparent drowning. This climactic moment echoes the film's themes of isolation and madness.

As the film concludes, the fate of Peter Mullan's character remains uncertain, leaving audiences with unresolved questions. The lack of a clear resolution adds to the feeling of ambiguity surrounding the story.

Despite the compelling source material, the film struggles to deliver a cohesive narrative. The lack of character development and clarity prevents it from reaching its potential, leaving viewers unsatisfied with the overall experience.

Following the final altercation, the viewer is left pondering the true nature of betrayal and survival in extreme conditions. The film's exploration of psychological quandaries ultimately leads to feelings of bewilderment and disappointment.

The Vanishing, while based on an intriguing mystery, fails to satisfy as a thriller or drama. It leaves audiences reflecting on the choices made by the characters and questioning what could have been if the story had been better executed.