The Occupant (2025) Review
Stranded. Isolated. Not alone. Desperate to fund an experimental treatment for her sister Beth’s terminal cancer, Abby (Ella Balinska) takes a high-risk but well-paid job at a uranium mine in Northern Georgia. Her attempt to return home after discovering a mysterious, potentially valuable mineral element is halted after her helicopter crashes in the remote mountains. Stranded, she finds hope through John (Rob Delaney), an American pilot radioing from nearby. As their connection deepens, Abby uncovers a disturbing truth about John, forcing her to make an impossible choice.
Hugo Keijzer’s feature debut THE OCCUPANT is a curious affair. Visually it is outstanding with Robbie van Brussel’s camerawork capturing the luscious landscapes and rugged terrain with a clarity that makes you feel like you are right there facing every nook and cranny with British geologist Abby Brennan (Ella Balinska). Every performance is fine and the human drama – this is a film about losing a loved one – hit the right notes. Otherwise, this film is so steeped in being allegorical that it fails to be anything other than one note but to its credit you keep with it anyway because you want to see if it ends being worth your time invested in it. And it just about is.
THE OCCUPANT is available on Digital HD 1 September. Distributed by Signature Entertainment