Dir: Jan-Ole Gerster | Casr: Sam Riley, Stacey Martin, Jack Farthing | Drama 2025
Sam Riley really comes into his own as a tanned tennis coach at a downmarket hotel in this shady neo-noir set in the sunny island of Fuerteventura
Islands will appeal for those hungry for a mystery thriller and savvy enough to reach their own conclusions about the enigmatic menage a trois it follows
Islands could have been written by Ian McEwan but the script is the work of film-maker Jan-Ole Gerster who has created a compelling drama that gets more and more intriguing as we get to know the world weary characters and their human failings and motivations.
On the face of it Dave (Farthing) and his wife Anne (Martin) seem too sophisticated for a package tour to the Canary Islands. They certainly make a glamorous couple with their little son Anton and Dave gives the impression that money is no object when he hires tennis pro Tom (Riley) to give his son lessons. Tom, whose claim to fame is a brief exchange with Rafael Nadal when the champion visited, arrived on the island a decade ago and has been seduced by the booze, drugs and louche way of life and the constant stream of available women, one of whom he wakes up with as the film opens. That all said he’s a decent English guy who seems vulnerable and stuck in a rut and looking to be rescued – certainly not the type to abuse his position or harm anyone.
Naturally being English and all roughly the same age Tom falls into easy conversation with Dave and Anne who invite him to join them for drinks, and an evening of penetrating insight for all three, not least for Tom who experiences an alarming sense of deja-vu with Anne. And when Dave disappears later that evening after going alone with Tom to the local disco Anne is left searching for clues while already knowing the answer to her questions
The denouement may surprise some in a story that leads to all kinds of places depending on your viewpoint and Gerster doesn’t elucidate leaving plenty of space for introspection. Sometimes the journey is just as satisfying as the destination. That’s certainly the case for this refreshing trip to the Med @MeredithTaylor
ISLANDS in UK and Irish Cinemas from 12 September and Bfi Player on 27 October 2025.