The Vanishing

UK Release Date. 15 March 2019
Certification. 15
Running Time. 1 hour 47 mins
Director. Kristoffer Nyholm
Cast. Gerard Butler, Søren Malling, Peter Mullan, Connor Swindells.
Rating. 64%

Review.

In December 1900, three lighthouse keepers mysteriously disappeared from the Flannan Isles Lighthouse, a lighthouse near the highest point on Eilean Mòr, one of the Flannan Isles in the Outer Hebrides. This little-known and unsolved mystery serves as a source of inspiration for Kristoffer Nyholm's The Vanishing. The Danish director known for Forbrydelsen (The Killing) brings a welcome touch of Nordic Noir to this distinctly Scottish tale.

The three men - Thomas Marshall (Peter Mullan), James Ducat (Gerard Butler) and Donald MacArthur (Connor Swindells) - were never found and no definitive explanation has ever been provided. The Vanishing puts forward one plausible explanation, albeit an unsubstantiated one, and therefore a work of fiction.

The most likely explanation is that the three men were swept away in a winter storm. Still, Nyholm weaves into this new story other, long-accepted hazards of lighthouse-keeping, such as claustrophobic isolation and the use of mercury to help the light turn smoothly. Mercury poisoning, arising from long-term exposure, has been known to lead to hallucinations and depression.

A skeleton cast are on point throughout. Peter Mullan, as always, is superb, portraying Thomas as a man already scarred by personal tragedy. His performance is perfectly complemented by Gerard Butler, who delivers a nuanced character study of a man overwhelmed by agonising guilt and despair. The dramatic intent of these two actors results in conversations full of weighty exchanges and meaningful pauses.

A brief mention for Pam Downe's excellent costume design - the earthy tones of heavy cotton work shirts, Gansey woollen jumpers and baggy corduroy trousers held up with braces are sheer perfection.

Whilst the pervading sense of menace starts off artificial, it soon feels very real. As true colours emerge under ever-mounting pressure, it’s clear that these three men haven’t a chance of getting through a year undetected, even if they could get off the island.