In a time when remakes, sequels and sequels to remakes are just about all the horror genre is getting, it's refreshing to a see a film that isn't merely a copy of another. This film isn't completely original, however, as it has shades of classics such as Alien and The Thing, but the base of the plot is compelling and the way that director Billy O'Brien patiently builds up the atmosphere and tension is impressive. The plot obviously takes influence from the agricultural crisis's we've had in Britain over the last few years; namely foot and mouth, in which the desire not to have people coming and going from various farms was strong. The film starts with a cow giving birth. There's obviously a problem from the outset, and it increases when the cow is born. The calf is somehow not right, and the farmers take the decision to kill it. Upon dissecting the dead calf, it turns out that there's a parasite growing inside of it, and we soon learn that this is the result of an experiment carried out with the farmer's say so by an immoral vet...

The film is slow to start, and the first half is really just build up. However, the build up isn't boring and the director generates suspense by never really letting us know what is going on until it is really needed. The second half the film is entirely different to the first as then we focus more on action and gore, and this actually goes well with the beginning of the movie. There aren't many characters in the film, and that means that there aren't a lot of death scenes; but this isn't too important as the central monster looks cool enough, and the death scenes are suitably nasty, even though they're not very gory. The locations the atmosphere is a big stand out, and the director does a good job of ensuring the farm location is integral to the plot and good use of the dirty and eerie locations is used at all times. The film is a long way away from being perfect; the camera-work annoyed me somewhat as Billy O'Brien obviously subscribes to the flashy camera-work school of thought, and sometimes you can't see what's going on. However, this is a well made and well acted little horror film that deserves more plaudits for the fact that it's not a direct rip off. Very well done!

This low-budget Irish monster movie has much in common with the recent American horror film SPLINTER . While it may not be quite as good as that movie, it has the same kind of grim and frightening atmosphere in its depiction of a small group of people in a rural locale who find themselves at the mercy of a seemingly unstoppable creation. This time around, genetically-modified cattle are the breeding ground for a strange parasite made of bone and gristle that haunts the inhabitants of a farm.

The film has a strong visual style. The mucky farmyards and cattle sheds are brought vividly to a grimy, dirty life where you can almost smell the manure. The scenes with the creature are grim and disturbing, and the camera-work frequently had me on edge while I was waiting to find out what transpired next. The cast is small but effective, with particular mention going to Marcel Iures as the scientist responsible for the horrors that unfold and Sean Harris as the innocent man caught up in it all. ISOLATION may not be a very original or memorable film, but it is often startling, vicious and nasty and I found it a breath of fresh air amid other contemporary horror fare.

But my real summary line will contain a spoiler ... because I just thought about this movie and how they might have pitched it to the producers:

"Aliens on the barnyard"

And although it's not aliens that will haunt and terrorize the humans here, you have a few elements that would suggest that, this was what the script writer thought! The movie overall isn't bad. It needs it's time to get going, but is very suspenseful, especially at the end. Nothing new though, but still not bad for a feature film debut (for the director)! :o)