← Back to results
The Vanishing
2019 108 min United Kingdom, United States of America R 16+
★6.4
Thriller, Mystery
Director: Kristoffer Nyholm
Trailers
Description
Three lighthouse keepers on an uninhabited island off the coast of Scotland discover something that isn't theirs to keep.
Starring
Peter Mullan
Actor
Gerard Butler
Actor
Emma King
Actor
Awards
1 win & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
The Vanishing is a moody, atmospheric character study that swaps supernatural mystery for a grounded, grim exploration of greed and conscience. While praised for its visual commitment to isolation, the film's pacing and narrative approach divide viewers looking for a traditional thriller.
| Production | The film effectively captures the raw, damp aesthetic and crushing isolation of the Scottish islands through its stark production design and cinematography. | |
| Acting | Gerard Butler and his co-leads anchor the film with strong, weathered performances that emphasize internal psychological struggle over traditional action-hero tropes. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is polarized: some find the slow, meditative buildup essential for immersion, while others find the narrative inert and the tension lacking. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay splits viewers, with some appreciating the realistic, character-driven examination of human vice, while others find the plot motivations weak and the execution of the greed-fueled conflict uninspired. | |
| Adaptation | Expectations regarding the 'true story' premise are inconsistent, with some viewers engaged by the speculative fiction and others disappointed by the film's departure from the actual, unresolved mystery. |