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Cast: Laila Robins (Planes, Trains, and Automobiles), Adam Wade McLaughlin (Showtime's "Billions"), Teri Reeves (ABC's "Once Upon A Time"), and Matthew Wilkas (Fits and Starts)
Inhabitants of a fishing island off the coast of Maine find themselves mysteriously cut off from the outside world after the ferry suddenly stops coming. All the phones have gone dead and every boat sent to the mainland fails to return. When dead bodies turn up along the water's edge, the hardy band of survivors must find out who, or what, is killing them.
'Island Zero' tells the story of a group of people who live on a small island off the coast of Maine. Without much warning they find themselves cut off from the rest of the mainland which is 40 miles away and the rest of the world. It starts when the local ferry that brings people to and from the mainland suddenly stops coming. The ferry is also their only means of getting supplies such as food and fuel to heat their homes and businesses and of course for their boats.
After the ferry stops coming, fishermen start going missing and bodies start washing ashore. It is not long before they begin to realize that there is something out there hunting them. Now they must fight to stay alive but you can't kill what you don't see coming.
'Island Zero' was filmed in Maine and it was written by Tess Gerritsen, best-selling author of the "Rizzoli & Isles" novels and directed by her son, Josh Gerritsen. This is Josh's directorial debut and I thought he did a great job. Don't go into this creature feature expecting loads of special effects and action. This is a low budget, slow burn Indie that replies on story and its characters to drive the film.
The film uses an ensemble cast that delivers on all of their characters. You get to know and feel for each and every one of them. The film also tosses in a little twist as far as the creatures go that fits right into the budget. Sometimes less is more and this film is a good example of that. 'Island Zero' doesn't need all those big special effects. It creates a good amount of mystery, suspense, tension and fear with its story, score and location.
I had a great time watching the film and thought it just got better and better as it moved along. The story and characters keep you interested. The creatures keep you in fear and there's a major twist late in the film that you won't see coming. 'Island Zero' is cleverly written and the direction is flawless. Josh Gerritsen does a great job keeping the film moving at a steady pace while building on the atmosphere and mood as it moves along. This is a scary and thrilling horror, a gem of an Indie that I highly recommend checking out when it comes to VOD May 15th.
Released by Freestyle Digital Media
**** Out Of *****