Isolani – Movie Review (4/5)

ISOLANI is a very creepy and intense thriller-drama from Scotland. It premiered at film festivals back in 2017 and now it’s finally out for everyone to see. It features one of the toughest mothers ever, which is more than enough reason to watch it. Read our full Isolani review here!

ISOLANI is a new thriller-drama from Scotland that isn’t actually new at all. It’s one of those films that received amazing reviews after film festival screenings but never managed to get a distribution deal. Until now!

It’s probably due to it being labeled a “drama” which says nothing about what this actually is. Because really, this is a very creepy and intense thriller as much as a drama full of social realism and struggles. The movie is from Scotland, so the accent might take a bit getting used to but the feelings come across perfectly.

Continue reading our Isolani review below.

Kate McLaughlin is absolutely perfect!

Honestly, you should watch Isolani specifically for Kate McLaughlin’s portrayal of Isla. She is one of the toughest mothers ever seen on screen.

Especially because she looks like she’s 12 years old, which people also note, but when she speaks, it’s with the conviction and power of someone who will not back down. She is, in fact, a 17-year-old girl with a young son (she had him when she was 13). What’s amazing about her is the fact that she knows her rights and she will fight to keep her son safe. Whatever it takes!

When she witnesses a murder outside her apartment-building (which should be vacated since it’s condemned), she knows she’s in trouble. More importantly, her son is in danger.

However, Isla isn’t one to take on any challenges by backing down. Instead, she is always a few steps ahead of everyone around her.

Kate McLaughlin is absolutely perfect as Isla. I cannot imagine anyone else being able to both physically and emotionally equal her performance in this. It’s not an easy role to play and she goes above and beyond with everything!

Watch Isolani on VOD now!

Isolani was written and directed by R. Paul Wilson. This is only his second feature film after Con Men from 2015, which was a crime-mystery. I haven’t watched that but after having watched Isolani, I certainly am curious.

I do have to mention one drawback for Isolani and it’s the runtime. It does run around 15 minutes too long, in my opinion. With a tighter pace and story, it would have been a stronger story overall. Though, admittedly, the pace is also part of its strength since it forces you to really sit with and absorb the grisly world the characters live in.

For me, Isolani works because the characters are well-written and very well portrayed. That goes for all of them, though I have absolutely singled out Kat McLaughlin since she is the shining star of this movie. I do also have to mention Gregor Selkirk.

He has a small role, but his performance will stick with you since it’s absolutely heartbreaking. Gregor Selkirk has a huge career ahead of him if acting is what he wants. Since Isolani, he has also had a much larger role in the movie Tell It to the Bees (2018). In this movie, his one scene is one of the strongest of the movie for me in terms of realism and pain.

Isolani is out On-demand and Digital from May 26, 2020. 

Details

Director: R. Paul Wilson
Writer: R. Paul Wilson
Stars: Kate McLaughlin, Catriona Evans, Jim Sweeney, Gianni Capaldi