The Occupant

by Mike McGranaghan

The Occupant is a survival drama with a sci-fi twist. Abby (Ella Balinska) is a geologist working in a remote location. She’s taken a generally undesirable job because her cancer-stricken sister needs an expensive surgery, and this is the only way the family can afford it. When her sister’s condition worsens, Abby hops into a helicopter to be by her side, only to have it crash in the mountains bordering Russia.

Harsh environmental factors and potential capture are just two of the perils she faces. A ray of hope seemingly presents itself when Abby makes radio contact with John (voiced by Rob Delaney), who claims to be in a similar situation. They make plans to join forces, but then she finds a mysterious substance and…well, let’s stop right there.

A big factor in the movie’s success is that the production crew went to some godforsaken places to shoot. The landscapes look desolate and ominous, which instantly gets you feeling the danger Abby contends with. Director Hugo Keijzer utilizes a lot of long shots that make clear how far from civilization the character is. On that visual level alone, the film proves effective. Whenever Abby has to scale a rock face or traverse harsh terrain, you can't avoid tensing up.

As for the sci-fi angle, it mostly comes into play during the third act, intentionally contrasting the more-or-less plausible survival story. Wild things occur, yet they fit because they deepen the theme of Abby’s personal arc. The finale deals with her refusal to accept that her sister may not live. Rather than delving too deeply into visual effects and mind-bending mayhem, the plot addresses how hard it is to recognize that you might have to let go of a loved one.

That’s emotionally heavy territory. Ella Balinska carries the film nicely, blending the character’s bravery in hostile conditions with her abject fear of losing her sibling. Through her efforts, we believe both sides of that equation. The Occupant has a more conventional science-fiction twist at the end involving John’s identity, but it’s this woman’s journey that makes the biggest impact. And thanks to Balinska, the picture offers an alluring mixture of big thrills and intimate drama.

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