Contains THE plot spoiler (not ending or plot parts) The title coupled with the film description gives most of the plot away. I had it figured out a few short minutes into the film which was slow moving and boring. Nicolas (Max Brebant) is one of several boys his age (9-11?) constituting the male population of this French speaking community. All the women are about late 20's and pretty much look and dress alike, wearing their hair straight back in cult-like fashion.

The film trudges on as I discovered exactly what I suspected after the first two minutes....and here is your one word PLOT SPOILER...seahorses. This was a Spartan isolated community, yet had computer technology and electricity and my head was about to explode on that aspect. This is an artsy film that didn't make it for me, because I couldn't figure out the message or theme if there was one. And artsy films require either a decent theme or a lot of cleavage for me to like them. This had neither.

This is another "emperor has no clothes film." People say they like it simply to look cool and intellectual.

Guide: distant nudity....I think. Not one Kip Addotta joke.

It's tough to call this a horror movie, because some will expect something completely different. It's more of a mystery thriller with horror touches. If you though Under the Skin is horror, with Scarlett Johansson and liked that movie too, you probably will like this one also (because of a similar vibe, not because of themes that are colliding, but it may touch the same nerve as well).

While it's slow burning and cooking, that fact may annoy and disappoint people. But if you stick with it, the movie will reward you. It's a strange story and movies that have the heart to go different directions should be rewarded. Or at least enjoyed for what they are. Hopefully something you can dig while watching

Greetings again from the darkness. If your preference in movies leans towards atmospheric and creepy, rather than on intricate story lines and sub-plots, this latest from writer/director Lucile Hadzihalilovic is likely to scratch your cinematic itch. We never really know what's going on or where the story is headed, or even if there is a story … but we are entranced nonetheless.

Nicolas (Max Brebant) is an observant and curious 10 year old who lives in an isolated Oceanside community (probably an island) populated only by women and young boys. While most of the boys spend their days doing typical boy things, Nicolas whiles away the hours drawing in his sketch book. His most recent sketch is of the horrific sight he witnessed during a leisurely swim … a dead body with a red starfish nibbling away. The use of the color red plays a recurring role throughout, but as to its meaning, I haven't a clue.

What follows are some bizarre medical procedures and beachside rituals that leave us grimacing and confused. The purpose of these actions is related to reproduction, and the medical experiments on the boys will certainly cause some uneasiness in the audience. Julie-Marie Permentier plays Nicolas' "mother" – in quotes due to the uncertainty around the conception process, and Roxane Duran plays Stella, the nurse who takes a liking to Nicolas and his drawings.

Billed as a horror film and thriller, my best description is some type of blending of The Island of Dr Moreau, The Stepford Wives and Upstream Color. Ms. Hadzihalilovic is the partner and frequent collaborator of offbeat indie director Gaspar Noe, and the influence is clear. This is a strange and enigmatic film that is exquisitely filmed (cinematographer: Manu Dacosse) and offers very little dialogue to accompany its quiet creepiness. The key seems to be not spending any time trying to figure out what it's all about. Whether you find it hypnotic or senseless is a personal decision.