Island Review: A Film That Nudges at the Quiet Trap of Complacent Solitude

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It’s commonly understood that people need each other. However, it’s often harder to tell the difference between choosing to be alone and feeling lonely. This makes isolation a complex theme in stories – it can seem appealing in idea, but often leads to damaging results.

The German film, Islands, explores the idea that escaping into comfort and avoiding challenges can eventually become stifling. While not actively bad, the film suggests that peace loses its appeal once it no longer helps us avoid life’s problems. However, it’s unclear why director Jan-Ole Gerster chose to tell this story as a lengthy, slow-paced drama. Islands feels more like an extended pause than a compelling journey. It’s watchable and sometimes engaging, but rarely creates a sense of urgency. Throughout the film, it feels like the director introduces ideas without fully exploring them.

In Islands, One Man’s Solitude is Another’s Paradise

Tom (played by Sam Riley) in the film Islands leads a remarkably uneventful life. He works as a tennis coach at a resort on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, spending his days teaching tourists. Evenings are filled with casual encounters or simply preparing for the same routine the next day. He used to be an exceptionally talented player – his friends still call him “Ace” after he famously won a match against Rafael Nadal – but years of drinking and a lack of purpose have diminished his skills, and clearly taken a toll on him.

Fuerteventura offers a perfect escape for tourists wanting to leave their everyday worries behind. But for Tom, who works there, it’s difficult to say if this lifestyle is a dream come true or just a temporary pause. Visitors see him as fortunate, with one saying it’s a beautiful place to work and another pointing out the freedom from family responsibilities and emotional struggles. However, Tom himself isn’t so sure he deserves the label of ‘lucky’.

Tom often seems distant, keeping to himself, but his kindness – like refusing tips and truly connecting with customers – makes people like him. This is particularly true for the Maguire family, a seemingly perfect tourist couple who are hiding problems. Getting to know them makes Tom feel like he needs something more in his life. As he gets drawn into the family’s complicated situation on the island, he’s repeatedly told to stay out of it. The film keeps asking why he feels compelled to get involved, but never provides a definitive answer.

Islands Has Some Really Strong Performances

Okay, let’s talk about Sam Riley in Islands. He’s probably the only actor most English-speaking audiences will recognize, and thankfully, he carries the film. Riley’s proven himself in everything from The Vault to the Maleficent movies, so he’s completely comfortable here. He plays Tom with a beautifully subtle vulnerability. It’s a quiet performance; Tom seems content, even a little withdrawn, but Riley hints at a deeper unease simmering just below the surface. It’s a really effective portrayal, and it grounds the whole film.

Stacy Martin matches Riley’s talent, delivering a captivating performance as Anne. Her expressions hint at a deeper, unsettling truth about the island that remains a mystery. It’s clear Anne is unhappy both in her marriage and with this particular vacation. The choice of Fuerteventura as a destination is puzzling, especially for someone who’s seen so much of the world. While her character leaves us with many unanswered questions, Martin’s acting is consistently strong and compelling.

While there are many talented performers, Ramiro Blas is consistently captivating to watch. The 59-year-old Argentine actor was fantastic in the Netflix series Locked Up, and he brings that same powerful, nuanced performance to Islands, using his distinctive voice and restrained energy. It’s no surprise he’s often the one delivering shocking plot twists.

Jan-Ole Gerster’s Script is Open-Ended, and Not for the Better

The film Islands doesn’t have a clear turning point for its main character. It briefly hints at being a murder mystery, which could have justified its length, but then moves away from that idea. Ultimately, it’s unclear if the character’s emotional journey feels fully deserved or earned.

As a film fan, I initially thought it was a clever move to avoid a lengthy backstory for our main guy, this ‘island of a man.’ But honestly, it started to hurt the movie as it went on. Without knowing who Tom was before he ended up on that island, the big ideas about escaping your life and just getting stuck felt a little…empty. What could have been really powerful ended up feeling kind of hazy. We definitely see Tom struggling with being alone, and the movie seems to suggest getting involved with the Maguires – Anne, Anton, and Dave – is a better option than isolating himself. But the biggest thing is, nobody seems to want anything. Not Tom, not Anne, not even her son or husband. There’s no sense of what any of them are hoping for, and that really left me feeling disconnected.

While the film boasts beautiful beaches, sunny hotels, and vast ocean views, the camera seems more focused on the scenery than on actually telling a compelling story. The island setting feels less like an integral part of the narrative and more like a pretty distraction from a confusing and underdeveloped theme.

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2026-01-26 11:01