Sea Fever

Starring: Hermione Corfield, Connie Nielsen, Dougray Scott, Jack Hickey, Ardalan Esmaili, Olwen Fouéré, Elie Bouakaze

Director: Neasa Hardiman

Science student Siobhán (Hermione Corfield) is looking to get some field experience, as well as her diving certification, on a fishing vessel helmed by skipper Gerard (Dougray Scott) and his wife Freya (Connie Nielsen). Superstitious Gerard is in need of a good catch so that he can get enough money to pay his crew (Jack Hickey, Ardalan Esmaili, Olwen Fouéré, Elie Bouakaze). When he sees Siobhán's red hair, he takes it as an omen that things won't go well. The ship, which Gerard knowingly steers into an exclusion zone despite warnings, hits a fast moving shoal leaving their boat immobilized. The shoal is actually bioluminescent tendrils, which have mysteriously attached to their boat. Also troubling is the discovery of another boat filled with bloody corpses of men who committed suicide due to what Gerard describes as "sea fever", a psychotic breakdown due to lack of sleep and isolation at sea that spreads throughout the crew. After discovering a parasite in their water supply that begins to infect the crew, they must either find a way to stop it spreading or risk it reaching the mainland.

Sea Fever feels like the spawn of Carpenter's The Thing and this year's underrated Underwater, and can join the list of films that have been released recently that are oddly prescient about the current state of the world due to COVID-19. The film finds a way to get under your skin thanks to tight pacing and stellar performances across the board, building suspense through character, and is able to live and breathe despite its claustrophobic setting.

A lot of credit goes to writer/director Neasa Hardiman, who chose to make a film about the psychological horrors of the situation rather than a full on monster film. While there is some gore, the film doesn't use it as a way to maintain tension, leaving that to characters that she quickly and efficiently sets up before unleashing the terror. Kudos to the film as well for surprising me with who dies first.

What surprised me the most is how believable the characters felt and reacted, especially Corfield's scientist Siobhán. Once she realizes something is wrong, she approaches it as a scientist would and begins directing the other characters on what to do and testing hypotheses until she finds a solution. Another testament to the script is that once Siobhán suggests something, characters listen. At one point they even stop arguing amongst each other to have her repeat something she said. It also doesn't become the type of monster flick where the purpose is to kill the monster, instead focusing on how to contain it.

Mark my words, Hermione Corfield is a major talent to watch. After showing her potential in last year's vastly underseen thriller Rust Creek, her performance as Siobhán truly shows her range. While she lacks the people skills, Siobhán is smart and rational, which is a rarity in a film like this. Along for the ride with Corfield is Dougray Scott and Connie Nielsen, who help lead a cast of mostly unknowns into the horror of their situation. Despite Scott's skipper making a couple dodgy decisions, it didn't ever feel out of character thanks to his performance.

Those looking for closure about the monster will get none as we don't ever learn much about it other than how it is able to infect people and how you can detect it. Maybe it's for the better, as asking too many questions may start to open up holes in the plotting. I already had some questions but was so caught up in the proceedings to be bothered when I didn't get an answer.

Not only does it feature star in the making Hermione Corfield, but it introduces us to a talented writer/director. Those looking for smarts to go along with their horror should look no further than this tense indie.

Grade: B+

Sea Fever is available on VOD.