Sea Fever (2019)

(On Cable TV, July 2021) There’s something delightful in recognizing a completely science-fictional narrative structure to Sea Fever, despite it largely taking place today(ish) in a boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. See if this feels familiar: A scientist aboard a ship filled with blue-collar workers grows concerned when a chance encounter with a mysterious creature produces unexplainable phenomenon. The ship then encounters another ship, abruptly deserted with its communication and propulsion equipment sabotaged. And then the crew starts experiencing medical issues… Oh yes — Sea Fever is an Alien clone on the northern seas, almost point-for-point sticking to the ur-structure of such stories. As such, it’s not badly made, especially as a low-budget Irish film. Narratively tired and disappointing in the nihilistic conclusion it chooses, but generally handled with some competence when it comes to the atmosphere, pacing and visuals. Hermione Corfield is not bad in the lead role, with some assistance from Ardalan Esmaili and a spectacularly de-glammed Connie Nielsen. While Sea Fever is a disappointment, there’s something very promising in writer-director Neasa Hardiman’s work here, and it’s going to be interesting to see what’s next for her.