The Boat

I can't tell you the joy I found in coming across this movie, hidden away in a cosy corner of Amazon Prime where light doesn't often reach.

Of course I've seen horror movies I've liked, or else I wouldn't watch any now. But this movie...it just gets it. It makes no foolish rookie mistakes (just name one thing horror movies do too much; it doesn't do it). It is that simple, quiet, leisurely, atmospheric, minimalist horror movie that you've been looking for. Unless you haven't been looking for it.

I haven't read the other reviews and I can anticipate that at least one person will say "it's not a horror movie" or "nothing happens" or "left me with questions". But this isn't that kind of horror movie. It's not an objectively better style but we see so little of it.

I have been hoping and hoping to see something like this for so long. I won't say it's a masterpiece but in a world where even the horror fans go on and on about how this genre has not yet quite found its way, we get something that is solid. I can take it seriously, it's never trashy or heavy handed; it takes its time, it lets you feel the moment, it doesn't take you for a ride, you're just along for it. It cuts into you with a quite, mysterious power. It does not compromise in its structure and narrative.

I know a lot of people will find this as affecting as an episode of a Michael Portillo Documentary but I was captivated.

Seriously. How many rooms are you going to keep walking into before you start disabling the door locks first. Well produced but ultimately frustrating.

Quite a piece of filmmaking by the director and solo actor. I found the story very interesting as a whole. Although it may only have 1 page of dialogue through out the whole film, I think the director is trying to put the viewer through the same loneliness and despair as the character. If the protagonist had narrated or spoke more it might disturb the sombre direction of the film.

The plot is very light. It's basically about a guy trapped on a boat... Not much else to say, besides the subtle instances where he might not be alone... I'll leave it at that.

Overall this isn't a great film or a film I'll give a 2nd viewing but it was intriguing and kept me glued till the very end. The film longs for some better editing though. Anyone who says it's terrible really doesn't understand the message or slow burn journey the filmmakers are taking them on.

Overall it's worth the watch if you're into something a little less mainstream.

My advice is to anyone wanting to watch this is if you don't like films where there is very little dialogue and things that remain unexplained and left to the imagination then maybe skip this one. However the concept and execution of what this is trying to be was well done. Not sure why one of the other reviewers had to have a pop at the director / dad of the star of this as it doesn't really describe the film to the rest of us in any way. But If you like "film" and have patience and enjoy a little bit of horror and suspense thrown in there, you'll enjoy it.

If you want a bunch of special effects, this is not the movie for you. If you want to be spoon fed a neat little story, this is not the movie for you.

If, on the other hand, you want a thriller or a movie that makes you think even after it's over, check this out.

A movie with one character can be difficult to pull off but this one is done so well. The acting was believable and you really felt his fear and frustration. There are some very tense and claustrophobic moments and they were filmed perfectly.

The makeup was also extremely well done and consistent. This is a miss on many movies in my opinion. Bad makeup "injuries" can really pull me out of the story but that was not an issue with this movie.

Put your stupid phone down and let yourself get lost in the tension of a great film.