The Block Island Sound (2020) Review – A Muddled and Gloomy Scientific Mystery

Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are taking a look at Kevin and Matthew McManus’ science fiction horror movie The Block Island Sound.

Something is amiss in Block Island

The Block Island Sound focuses on a family as they attempt to deal with the strange occurrences on Block Island. Audry (Michaela McManus), who works for the Environmental Protection Agency, is sent to Block Island to investigate the washing up of dead fish on the beach. Audry sees this as an opportunity to visit her Father Tom, played by everyone’s favourite 13 Cameras voyeur Neville Archambault (R.I.P.), and Brother Harry. Her investigation, however, is interrupted as her father has been behaving bizarrely and completely out of character. Is he suffering from an ailment or is something more sinister afoot in the sleepy town?

“The Block Island Sound is a slow burn, mystery, science fiction, drama, horror type thing. Centred around a family in turmoil, much of the focus is on the fragility of the human mind.”

The Block Island Sound is a slow burn, mystery, science fiction, drama, horror type thing. Centred around a family in turmoil, much of the focus is on the fragility of the human mind and the insignificance of life. Most of the movie follows Harry who is a flawed character with deep issues. Seeing the mystery of the island through his eyes, we witness his attempts to understand what is happening.

Harry is, seemingly, oblivious to the strangeness of the island. That is, until it impacts him directly. His conspiracy theorist friend explains that things on the island have been strange for years. Harry just never noticed until he was part of it. The viewer is given an opportunity to share in his emotional reaction to the things taking place. His sister, Audry, affords us a more scientific and fact based view as well as a mediating factor when it comes to Harry and the world around him.

Keeps you guessing but it’s very messy

Does it all work? Well, yes and no. There’s some intriguing cosmic-horror elements at play here that hint at a grander mystery. The overwhelming feeling when it is all said and done, however, is one of disappointment. It just doesn’t go anywhere and ends up playing out as more of a character study than anything else. Sure, the mystery is there, but it feels like a background plot device.

The Block Island Sound does a pretty good job of keeping you guessing. It offers up a number of feasible explanations for the events of the movie. Each one could be applicable and would fit nicely. It plays with the recent trend of using heavy metaphors in horror movies, as well. Something which I find altogether less welcome.

“The atmosphere is suitably heavy and foreboding throughout. There is a constant feeling of tension and the hostility between the characters adds to this.”

The atmosphere is suitably heavy and foreboding throughout. There is a constant feeling of tension and the hostility between the characters adds to this. Harry is a troubled individual. This leads the viewer to not trust him and to wonder what events we are not privy to. I found myself quite enjoying this aspect.

It’s just so damn slow, though. It can never decide whether it wants to be a science fiction movie, a mystery, a cosmic-horror, or a domestic drama. People with a tolerance for a very slow burn and mixed themes might be fine with it. I just couldn’t fully vibe with the mixed story and lacking horror elements.

Acting is sometimes good, sometimes bad

I hated Harry but I think that might be the intention. You are supposed to see him as a self important asshole. He reminded me of a discount Chris Pratt with more anger issues. An uneven performance from Chris Sheffield doesn’t really help matters. Sometimes he is fantastic at conveying Harry’s struggles. Other times he seems like he is trying too hard to seem like a cool antihero. He gets better as the movie goes on but early scenes are awkward and feel forced.

I did not enjoy Michaela McManus as Audry. Some of her delivery is strangely sinister. There is one scene where she is explaining, to her daughter, the work she does. Due to her strange manner of speaking, bizarre facial expressions, and odd cadence, it came across somewhat creepy. I am pretty sure that was not the intent.

Neville Archambault, in one of his last roles, was absolutely fine. I think he is quite underrated and it was nice to not see him play a weirdo. Audry’s daughter, Matilda Lawler, is really good and very natural. Ryan O’Flanagan is great and probably the movie’s most likeable character. The rest of the cast does a decent enough job.

Everything is so grey

The Block Island Sound is an ugly movie. Everything is perpetually grey. I understand that this is likely deliberate but everything is so gloomy it can be quite difficult to look at. I don’t know if they were going for a dreamy, slightly hazy approach but I don’t feel as though it worked.

“It’s just so damn slow. It can never decide whether it wants to be a science fiction movie, a mystery, a cosmic-horror, or a domestic drama.”

Cinematography is bland and uninteresting despite having a fantastic setting. Colours are muted and camera shots are generally by the numbers. There are a few shots that are framed in the exact same way at different points in the movie. This felt a bit lazy. Each scene should be an opportunity for innovation but The Block Island Sound occasionally takes the easy road.

I did enjoy some of the methods used to reflect Harry’s fragile mental state. There was some very nice innovation there. The focus on the sea did a good job of making everything around it seem small, as well. Given the theme of the movie these shots were very fitting.

There are a few scenes featuring visual effects, but they are generally not over done. One of these incidents did look particularly comical, however. I never find it to be a good thing when something in a horror movie looks like something out of a slapstick comedy. I assume this movie is low budget but some things are best left unseen. We can make our own judgement on what something looks like.

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A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.

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