In matters of life and death, time is truly not on our side.

Directed by Austin Andrews and Andrew Holmes, The Island Between Tides tells the story of Lily, a young girl who disappears from her family while on a camping trip. After she eventually resurfaces, she discovers that, even though she felt as though she’d only been gone moments, she had actually vanished for three weeks. Years later, the now-adult Lily (Paloma Kwiatkowski) is once again drawn back to the place of her disappearance for answers. However, this time, she returns twenty-five years later to a family in emotional ruin. 

In terms of film genres, it’s hard to label The Island Between Tides. Part sci-fi horror and part family drama, the films blending of numerous styles seems to make it unique. This ghost story is a twisty tale that plays with time travel and sits in the shadows of mental health and keeps the audience guessing. Bathing screen in shadows, the film feels offers a film noir aesthetic amidst its rural setting. Despite its beautiful visuals, Andrews and Holmes clearly want this environment to feel unsettling at every turn. 

Admittedly, there are moments when the film’s story doesn’t always come together. Because of the sheer ambition of the story, viewers may need patience if they feel the need to answer every ‘why’. After all, Tidesisn’t concerned with force-feeding every detail to its audience. Instead, it tends to lean into thematic understanding, asking the viewer to sit within the ambiguity of the moments. While this can create a broad sense of world building that’s genuinely compelling, it can also lead to frustration for those who want to understand the complexities of its mysteries.

With this in mind though, things get very interesting when you consider the source material. Based on Mary Rose, a play written by Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, Tides feels like an adult cousin to Barrie’s dalliance with Neverland. Without giving spoilers, the concept of a world outside of time feels reminiscent of the ‘boy who never grew up’. 

Unlike Pan, however, Tides is more than comfortable sitting in the darkest corners of man’s heart. As Lily attempts to piece together the mysteries of her life, her encounters with Jared are sobering. Tormented by his own mental health, Lily is forced to watch as the effects of past trauma take a stranglehold upon him. It’s always difficult to grapple with the passage of time but Jared carries the weight of his burden daily.

As a result, Jared’s heart yearns for ‘home’. 

There’s a stability that has lost within himself that he desperately seeks. While he remains unsure of Lily’s true identity, there’s something about her that draws him in. When they are together, he finds a sense of home that brings peace to his soul. 

It’s in these moments that Mazouz shines. Following up his role as the Dark Knight in FOX’s Gotham series, the actor delves further into his psyche. As Jared, the actor leans into the brokenness of his character as he struggles to keep his realities clear. Even so, scenes with Kwiatkowski bring out the best in them. There’s a genuine connection built upon compassion between them that breathes life into their performances.

In the end, The Island Between the Tides proves to be an enjoyable ride. The utter strangeness of this ghost story provides a haunting experience for the viewer, even in moments when the script struggles to stay on course.

The Island Between Tides is available in theatres on Friday, April 25th, 2025.