The Disappeared

I have NO bloody idea why this film is rated so damn low. I felt that the psychological elements were excellent and the story very well executed.

The interactions with his brother are quite moving and the acting is very good all around. The story is well paced building to a powerful ending, which could very well catch you by surprise. Another reviewer here mentioned that this film was derivative. I didn't see that at all; I thought the story was well conceived and capably directed. I don't normally go for films that are strongly centered on personal Drama, but this one was quite engaging, drawing you along as it gradually reveals what is truly happening.

I really cannot see how it possibly could have been done any better...

I liked this film. It starts out a bit slow, almost like a dysfunctional family piece, but it quickly picks up speed after that. It has some very creepy moments but it is the overall atmosphere of the film that makes it so good. There are no huge special effects or anything, but you can see that the producers and director of this film have been really good at stretching their budget and making the most out of the little money they had. For instance all the music throughout the film is made by a real orchestra and not just a guy with a synth. It makes the film sound bigger.

It's a good buy if you want a low-key, but quality chiller!

Though this movie was long, it was not uneventful. Harry Treadaway offered an outstanding performance which carried the rest of the cast in this haunting drama about a family grieving over the disappearance of a family member. There were elements of the movie The Sixth Sense, in that the character Matthew Ryan frequently saw and interacted with the deceased. His accounts were dismissed as delusional, which cast a shadow of doubt over the mental stability of this character. As the story unfolds it offers a unique twist on a serial killer while throwing a few weak but effective red herrings as to who the killer was. In the end I was delighted mostly from the performance of harry Treadaway, unknown to me until now, and secondly the bleak scenery which provided a very effective backdrop.

Quite enjoyed this great Brit film. Although there are Horror elements, I did not find them to be scary or creepy enough for my high standards of Horror definition. That said, there are definitely some moments that are a bit creepy but there is so much more going on in this film than silly "BOO!" moments. A refreshing storyline that explores much more than shown simply in the trailer (missing, possible dead child), there are instances of bullying, single-parent family dynamics, the question of faith, the depravity and sadness of those in mental institutions, possible mental illness...this film has a bit of it all. You will be questioning different people and situations throughout the film which I find particularly engaging and enticing in Thrillers that we do not always get to see. Watching it a second time is recommended...sometimes we miss certain important elements. The backdrop of the film's location reminded me of industrial Manchester and the people live in the area (common amongst London or other urban suburbs). The ending was not quite what I expected, but that is neither good nor bad. I can't say much more without revealing "spoilers"...

Definitely worth watching.

After suffering a mental breakdown following the disappearance of his younger brother, Matt is released from the hospital and tries to get back to a sense of normalcy. However, his father blames him and Matt's own guilt continues to haunt him. Before long, visions of his brother begin to plague him as well. Is it just Matt having another breakdown, or is his brother really appearing to him?

This interesting British horror works as a sort of old school mystery by way of ghost story. The overall feel of the film is very ominous from the start. Matt, previously a happy teen, is now alienated and deeply troubled. He meets a girl who lives next door, herself a rather distant sort. Some of the ghostly encounters with the brother are typical. Other bits, like a scene with a psychic, are eerie and add to the intrigue of the picture. One major aspect of the story is easily telegraphed. Another, not so much. The climactic scenes are strong, the ending suitably somber. While the film falls back on certain clichés at times, it's still an effective slice of ghostly horror that packs a nice bit of emotional resonance.