Wilderness

Wilderness is a 2006 British horror thriller directed by Michael J. Bassett with a cast led by Sean Pertwee, Alex Reid, and Toby Kebbell. The movie follows the story of a group of young offenders who are sent to an isolated island for a character-building exercise. The group is composed of a mixture of tough brooding teenagers who all have troubled pasts - they are all a mix of people with violent tendencies, confidence issues, abandonment, cheating and other issues.

The offenders, accompanied by two guards, are taken to the remote island by boat, and soon after they arrive, things take unexpected turns. The group soon learns that they are not alone on the island when another group of people starts hunting them down one by one.

The forest has become a blood-soaked, lawless environment as a result of a former prisoner who escaped from the island and returned to seek revenge against the guards who punished him. The guards’ attempt to protect the teenagers from the fugitive convict and his sons by further separating them only worsens things, as the group becomes more vulnerable.

The movie's plot is action-packed and full of twists and turns, causing the viewer to be consistently caught off-guard. The characters are all well-fleshed out, with their personalities and backgrounds playing critical roles in the story's progression.

Pertwee plays the part of the hard-edged and snarling, Captain who is responsible for keeping a watchful eye on the group of unruly teenagers, and is often at odds with the young men. In contrast, Kebbell takes on the role of the overweight and underestimated, Callum. Callum is the first to notice the danger that the group is in and is instrumental in their survival.

Reid portrays Louise, a girl who is determined to survive the ordeal and get off the island. The performance of her character is noticed as she commands attention with her disenchanted glare and sly smiles.

The director, Bassett, does a great job of ramping up the tension and fear as the danger on the island escalates. The gore is present and in your face, with some scenes being particularly gruesome. This adds a sense of dread to the movie and contributes to the overall horror feel.

The setting is beautifully captured throughout the film, allowing the audience to experience the beauty of the island before delving into its dark and sinister underside.

The film's pacing can occasionally feel a bit sluggish in certain areas, particularly at the start of the movie. However, once the danger sets in, the movie becomes unrelenting in its thrills, leading to an explosive and exciting finale.

In conclusion, Wilderness is a well-crafted horror movie with a thought-provoking premise that will stick in your mind long after the movie finishes. With strong performances and a capable director, it is well worth a watch.