In a film littered with monstrous behaviour and murderous acts, what is perhaps most shocking about is the director behind it. In Ron Howard’s work, the best of humanity usually shines brightest but, with this intense psychological thriller, he reveals a different side, charting the growing resentments on a remote island in the Galapagos populated by a handful of people who do not wish to share this idyllic spot with one another. Inspired by actual events which took place almost a century ago, the picture gives Jude Law and Ana de Armas an opportunity to be unapologetically rotten, resulting in a grim, feverish film that feels touched by madness.
premieres as a Gala Presentation in Toronto, and the film features an impressive supporting cast that includes Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Kirby and Howard’s star Daniel Brühl. UK and key international territiories went to Amazon Prime at Cannes, but the US rights on this key feature were still available going into TIFF. In 1932, Heinz (Brühl) and Margret Witmer (Sweeney) journey to Floreana on the Galapagos Islands, where they wish to meet Friedrich (Law), a German doctor and philosopher who believes humanity is doomed.
Living alone with his sullen lover Dore (Kirby), Friedrich has decamped to Floreana to start his idealised new society — and does not want to be disturbed by the Witmers, whom he dismisses as tourists. But both families will soon encounter another interloper, the Baroness (de Armas), who has designs on building.