The Green Sea is tough to pin down in terms of its genre. The trailer presents an eerie film about a struggling writer who encounters a wayward teen chased by a stalker. However, the film is less horror but rather a reflection on loss and trauma. There are strange and unusual aspects to the story, but they’re grounded by the protagonist’s very human inner turmoil.

Written and directed by Randal Plunkett, the film stars Katharine Isabelle as Simone, an American writer who chooses isolation in Ireland to finish her next novel. It’s been six long years since she published anything, so, of course, her agent is antsy. Instead of finishing even a chapter, Simone spends most of her time chugging liquor, cranking heavy metal, and burning the few pages she does complete. Her home reflects her messy mind, with piles of dirty dishes littering the kitchen counters. During fragmented flashbacks, it’s clear that she drinks to numb the pain stemming from the loss of her daughter and a failed marriage.

She snaps out of the funk (sort of) when she meets “Kid” (Hazel Doupe), a mysterious teen who stays with her, cleans her house, and seemingly has no place to go. Yet, Kid is also running from something and stalked by an unnamed man dressed in all black. Though he has very few lines in the film, something is unnerving about the man’s looming presence on screen. The fact his intentions are kept under wraps until the end makes him more chilling.

The unlikely friendship between Kid and Simone is endearing. There’s a lot of great banter between the characters and seeing their relationship grow is a highlight, especially when Simone’s tough exterior softens some thanks to the teen. This is very much a film centered around character more than anything else. It’s a slow burn, but Doupe and Isabelle carry the film well.

Horror fans should be aware that this isn’t a film fueled by scares. If anything, The Green Sea is more of a drama with some elements of a thriller. In fact, it’s difficult to tell what’s real and what isn’t throughout the narrative. The novel Simone’s writing blends with reality, and the closing 15 minutes transform into a surreal and metaphorical reflection on loss. By the time the credits roll, viewers may scratch their heads, wondering what just occurred, especially regarding Kid.

In his feature debut, Plunkett shows that he has the talent to tap into major human emotions. However, even in a film about processing grief, The Green Sea is not without a little dash of humor. What really anchors the film, though, are the female leads. Watching Doupe and Isabelle in their roles is a delight, especially as the relationship between their characters deepens. The Green Sea is a fascinating character study about a writer reeling from the loss of her daughter. The film falters a few times, especially during its ending, but it’s still one heck of a story with two solid performances at its core.

7 Out of 10 Sea Turtles