Islands

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1:45

Islands

Jan 2026

2h 1m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In this twisty thriller, a tennis coach at a tropical resort finds himself at the center of a missing persons mystery. Tom (Sam Riley) teaches tennis during the day and parties at night. When an enigmatic tourist (Stacy Martin) arrives, Tom is unable to shake the feeling he has met her before. Tension and attraction grow, until her husband (Jack Farthing) disappears, and the police suspect Tom.

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Critics Consensus

A glossy, slow burn thriller carried by soulful performances, Islands compellingly explores loneliness with artful restraint and intoxicating atmosphere.

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John Powers

NPR

Feb 19

In its blend of high-art style and pulp crime story, Islands is a nifty piece of what we might call Existential Pop.

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Carlos Aguilar

RogerEbert.com

Jan 30

3/4

The character construction and how their respective desires intersect with one another, in tandem with an effectively dizzying atmosphere, render it more original than expected.

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Peter Travers

The Travers Take

Jan 30

3/4

A sexy tennis bum (Sam Riley) and a married woman (Stacy Martin) meet at a resort and stir up murderous thoughts in a too cryptic thriller fthat recalls Hitchcock and Antonioni while revealing a tormented mind of its own.

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Chuck Bowen

Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)

Mar 20

While you’re trying to solve a mystery that might not even exist, Gerster proffers a moving and atmospheric character study.

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Rob Thomas

Not That Rob Thomas (Substack)

Mar 13

3/4

More "L’Avventura" than "Evil Under the Sun," "Islands" is an existential mystery that shows even the brightest, sunniest places can hide the darkest secrets.

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Kim Hughes

Original Cin

Mar 10

A

Writer-director Jan-Ole Gerster’s low-boil psychological drama unfolds gradually but lands impactfully, its fantastic cinematography and deeply committed performances propelling it throughout.

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Angela L

Feb 8

I dont get the high positive review for this movie. I found it slow and boring with no point.

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caldera

Feb 8

Horrible no pointt what so ever

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Remy

Feb 1

Don't know where they were going with the movie but enjoyed it enough for the vibes

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victor S

@RT30890069 1d

A slow burn continuation of Antonioni's "l'aventura", with a twist of Hitchcock and Highsmith. With a spot-on soundtrack. No explosions or juvenile nonsense here, just human relations. Have some patience, sink into the characters, and soak up some sun.

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Mar 20

Sam Riley and Stacy Martin are fantastic, and the rest of the cast gives great support in this beautiful looking, slow burn thriller. Or is it a thriller? The breathtaking locations work so well but the performances and the keep you guessing plot might surprise you in a good way. I always stayed with it, and I was full entertained and satisfied in the end.

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Bruce L.

@Chooch007 Mar 19

Islands is a slow burn, but an engaging one. Tom (Ace) is a tennis instructor working at a resort on an Island, who seems to be struck in a an emotional prison. He was an aspiring tennis player and rumor has it, even beat Nadal in a round. He ends up with a bad shoulder and now he lives a life seemingly filled with “what if’s”. Things change though when a mysterious couple and their son come to the Island and enter in Toms life. Sam Riley delivers a remarkable performance. It is very strange that you didnt hear anyone really talk about this film or his performance during this past award season. The direction is also steady, pacing is never uneven, and even the smallest of details feel more pronounced. The Cinematography is also gorgeous, filmed on a Spanish Island. Its a small film, that feels big, it is definitely worth a watch if you are a fan of film.

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Jan-Ole Gerster

Director

Sam Riley

Tom

Stacy Martin

Anne

Jack Farthing

Dave

Dylan Torrell

Anton

Pep Ambròs

Jorge

Islands: Trailer 1

1:45

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Synopsis

In this twisty thriller, a tennis coach at a tropical resort finds himself at the center of a missing persons mystery. Tom (Sam Riley) teaches tennis during the day and parties at night. When an enigmatic tourist (Stacy Martin) arrives, Tom is unable to shake the feeling he has met her before. Tension and attraction grow, until her husband (Jack Farthing) disappears, and the police suspect Tom.

Director: Jan-Ole Gerster
Producer: Maximilian Leo, Jonas Katzenstein
Screenwriter: Jan-Ole Gerster, Lawrie Doran, Blaz Kutin
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Leonine Studios, Deutscher Filmförderfonds, Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA), Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, NRW Film Board, Augenschein Filmproduktion, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Schiwago Film
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 13, 2026
Runtime: 2h 1m
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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