The Boat (2018)

This was NOT what I expected at all and in the best possible way, bottle movies live and die by their actors and this was no-one I'd ever seen or heard of.

Whilst being somewhat familiar with world cinema and having no problems with subtitles I have to say the media of Malta hasn't ever passed by my eyes but knowing the plethora of talent in other countries largely ignored by mainstream cinema, not knowing Joe Azzopardi or his co-writer and director Winston Azzopardi didn't mean this wasn't worth a watch and it certainly was worth a watch, if one enjoys bottle movies of course.

This was amazing at it's concept.

I have no idea how one makes a movie where a lone man trapped on a boat is scary but it was, I was alternately baffled and horrified by simple, bordering on mundane things.
For instance, you put an item down and go back to retrieve it and find that it's now gone, in real life you'd go "where did I put it, I'm a scatterbrain today"
In a generic horror, it would be "this is possibly a sign my house is haunted or a stalker is messing with me...TO THE MICROFICHE"
In this movie, the nameless protagonist acts  like the boat itself is trying to kill him AND HE PULLS IT OFF! it's not even a little bit silly or corny, Joe Azzopardi totally sells it.

Spawned from a short called Head (2016) this follows the same basic premise, a man boards a mysterious boat and the boat pulls a 1408 on him, while less obvious in it's malevolence as that hotel room or the titular Hill House or even The Overlook, this boat seems more intent of testing Joe's mettle. Starting off with small teases before going hard on him by making him think he's in a storm or causing him physical injuries before gently guiding him back to the harbour after he  'saves' it from sinking.

There's many interpretations , Greek myths and general metaphors but you don't need to think any deeper than naughty boat and tested man.

While not a 'mainstream' horror it's defintely fit for cult status and even if you don't like the movie you can at least be in awe of the acting and shooting.

A random gem from out of nowhere and a most welcome surprise.