Schwarze Insel Review: A Thriller That Drowns in Predictability
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‘Incest Island’ might have been a more fitting title for Schwarze Insel (English: Black Island), a German thriller that promises intrigue but gets lost in missed opportunities.
The film opens with a double tragedy: Jonas (Philip Froissant) loses both parents in a car accident as they return from his grandmother’s funeral. Their vehicle crashes into a tree, swerving to avoid an oncoming car driving straight at them, and thus begins Jonas’ unsettling stay on the eerie ‘Black Island.’ At his grandfather’s suggestion, Jonas remains on the island rather than move away.
What starts as an innocent romance with his friend Nina soon turns twisted when Helena (Alice Dwyer), a mysterious new German teacher, arrives in town. She takes a keen interest in Jonas’ poetry, nurturing his talent—and then more. Their relationship turns intimate, pushing Nina into a jealous investigation of this enigmatic woman. Suspicion thickens when Jonas’ grandfather collapses in shock after locking eyes with Helena, hinting at a dark past. Nina’s discoveries lead her to a chilling truth: Helena is the daughter of a former teacher who died under mysterious circumstances.
This is where the film stumbles. Instead of building suspense to a thrilling climax, Schwarze Insel gives away its secrets far too early. Helena’s quest for revenge, along with her plan to kill Jonas, is revealed halfway through. The result? A predictable second half that drains any remaining tension. To top it off, Helena murders Nina—her sole threat to keeping her identity hidden—by strangling her to death.
The final twist, if you can call it that, arrives in a flat confession: Helena is actually Jonas’ aunt. So yes, all this while, she’s been sleeping with her nephew. The film ends without much fanfare or surprise—Jonas survives her murder attempt after a brief, underwhelming struggle where Helena tries to drown him.
Despite its potential, Schwarze Insel falls short due to its mishandling of suspense. The setting, however, deserves praise: the dark, grey, and isolated island provides a perfect backdrop for murder and mystery. The leads, Froissant and Dwyer, perform well within the limits of the script. But by revealing its cards too soon, the film loses the tension it desperately needed.
Overall, Schwarze Insel may hold your attention, but it leaves you wishing it had kept its secrets longer.
Rating: 6 on 10. Watch the movie on Netflix.
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