In 1900, three keepers stationed at the Flannan Isles Lighthouse, which is on an island off the western coast of Scotland, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Bodies were never found, and there was no hard evidence available to paint a clear picture as to what happened, which led to the disappearance becoming a source of speculation. That story is the inspiration behind The Vanishing, which is written by Joe Bone and Celyn Jones, and directed by Kristoffer Nyholm. The three lighthouse keepers, James, Thomas, and a new recruit, Donald, are played by Gerard Butler, Peter Mullan, and Connor Swindells, respectively.
The film isn’t the kind that argues anything sensational to explain the disappearance like aliens, monsters, or anything of the sort. It plays more to the effect of a classical morality tale. One day, they stumble upon a body that’s washed ashore, along with a chest. Inside the chest is gold. What ensues is a slow burn thriller that explores the way they try to keep things together, while also coming to terms with the decisions they make as they continue to fall down a rabbit hole of greed, shame, guilt, and trauma.
Given how a large amount of his output tends to be action schlock or in deeply miscast roles, it’s easy to forget that Gerard Butler is a really solid actor. This film, which he also produced, allows him to stretch his dramatic muscles far more than anything he’s done to date, and he nails it. His gruff physicality works here, and he brings his charm, but he also gets to explore some darker territory as the film goes on. The character of James is a far cry from the action hero Butler usually plays, and while the film isn’t super violent, when it does happen, it’s quick but brutal, and it leaves a lasting impact, not only on the situation at hand, but also on the characters’ psyche. Butler navigates some complicated psychological turns here with enough nuance and depth to make the story effective.
Of course, Peter Mullen has always been a reliable character actor, and he effortlessly portrays the way Thomas’ troubled past has made its mark on him. And with Connor Swindells being a newcomer, not just as a character, but an actor as well, he manages to hold his own with these older guys with tons more experience. The actors play off their dynamic in compelling ways, first in crafting a believable bond and then the tension that comes when it all slowly crumbles apart.
The filmmakers know to keep things simple to make it resonate more. It arguably makes things a tad predictable, but it doesn’t matter because the story is so well realized and the film itself is crafted to bring as much mood to the proceedings as possible. The camera emphasizes the sense of isolation as it brings these vast wide shots of the island and the lighthouse being completely surrounded by ocean. It creates a claustrophobic effect despite the vast space, thus making the suspense even more potent.
You’ve probably seen films like The Vanishing before, but it’s executed with a great sense of character and a haunting atmosphere. It thankfully strays away from being the kind of film that exploits an event like the one that inspired this, allowing for a speculation, but always keeping the focus on the humanity of its characters, and the very real consequences that come from our vices. It’s methodically paced, but tightly constructed and very watchable. If you’re a fan of Gerard Butler, hell, even if you aren’t a fan of Gerard Butler, his performance here is the first time in a while that shows he is a thoroughly capable dramatic actor, and is worth the price of admission alone.