The Islands thriller gives Sam Riley the role every hotel tennis coach fears: a man whose guests stop asking about backhand drills and start disappearing. His Fuerteventura resort offers endless sun, a pool and the sort of all inclusive package that apparently includes existential dread.
Islands thriller puts noir beside the pool
Riley plays Tom, a former professional player now coaching tourists at a hotel. Then a mysterious family arrives. Soon, a guest vanishes and Tom finds himself involved in the sort of problem usually handled by a concierge with very good insurance.
"A holiday thriller must protect the buffet," said Orlando Deckchair, Director of Narrative Pool Safety. "Guests can cope with danger, suspicion and emotional collapse. However, no one should face a disappearance before the omelette station opens."
The court is not complimentary
The Canary Islands setting gives the film beauty, isolation and unforgiving light. Every shadow looks as though it has checked out by noon. Meanwhile, the activities board can quietly add beginner backhand, aqua aerobics and questions about the family in room 214.
BFI Distribution will release Islands in UK and Irish cinemas on 12 September, followed by BFI Player on 27 October. Viewers can expect a slow burning mystery and a tennis coach discovering that paradise has a less generous cancellation policy than the brochure suggested.
TripAdvisor has already asked Tom to score his stay out of five. He gave the pool four stars, the service three and the unexplained disappearance a firm request to speak to management.
Read the real story: The BFI announcement for Islands.
