Film Review: Uninhabited

Posted on the 29 June 2013 by Donnambr @_mrs_b
Review of: Uninhabited (2010)
Film:
Bill Bennett
Reviewed by: David M. Brown
Rating:
3
On June 29, 2013Last modified:June 29, 2013

Summary:

Uninhabited certainly won't astonish but by the same token it isn't worthy of the poor reviews it has received.

More DetailsAbout Uninhabited (2010)Australian horror movie in which a young couple’s vacation on a supposedly uninhabited tropical island turns into a nightmare. Harry (Henry James) and Beth (Geraldine Hakewill) are a young couple in search of a holiday with a difference. Their destination of choice is a small and uninhabited island off the Great Barrier Reef, where they are dropped by boat for ten days of isolation and independence. Initially the couple enjoy their freedom, swimming, sunbathing and setting up a camp, and aren’t even overly perturbed when someone else’s footprints appear in the sand. They assume the secret visitor is just another camper on the island, but their assumption is soon proved wrong…

Starring: Geraldine Hakewill, Billy Milionis, Henry James, Tasia Zalar, Bob Baines

Directed by: Bill Bennett

Runtime: 93 minutes

Studio: G2 Pictures

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Review: Uninhabited

Bill Bennett’s holiday horror tells the story of a young couple Beth (Geraldine Hakewill) and Harry (Henry James) who are taken to an isolated island near the Great Barrier Reef for 10 days of quality time together, including a spot of fishing, relaxation, exploring and a spot of romance. The couple are not on the island long when a series of strange events begin to befall them and they soon realize that they are not alone!

After a steady start, the couple are victims of what they believe are children playing pranks. Wandering into the forest on the island they find a cabin with an archaic diary and outside a grave marked with the name Coral. Despite their search, Beth and Harry cannot find the children they suspect they can hear laughing. They do have an encounter with two fishermen who don’t speak English and this only serves to unnerve them even further. When their phone goes missing and Beth is unable to bring a premature end to the holiday, the couple are faced with having to survive the next 10 days but who is really threatening them? Is it the two fishermen? Or is there something even more sinister on the island?

This film has been severely criticised by many people and I have to say it’s pretty unjustified. Acting wise this isn’t great. Hakewill is okay but James was out of his depth and didn’t remotely convince whether he was being a loving boyfriend or acting all macho when taking on the fishermen. The island’s history eventually comes to the fore and although it’s not the most original storyline it’s also not a bad one. The film certainly kept me guessing until the end and the conclusion was quite a surprise to be honest. Overall the film is certainly a very watchable horror with some lush scenery off the coast of Australia and at least one genuinely cringe worthy moment.

Uninhabited certainly won’t astonish but by the same token it isn’t worthy of the poor reviews it has received. While one of the leads delivers a less convincing performance than the island’s trees do, there is enough here to maintain the interest, a reasonable back story and for me a quite surprising ending to the proceedings as well. Not great but certainly not bad either.

Verdict: 3/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 734 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.