Is it possible to recover from the worst tragedy imaginable? Or are some things simply too painful to overcome? These are the central questions in this understated British drama about profound grief, directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Joseph Millson. Sarah-Jane Potts stars as Anne, a woman in her forties traveling alone in Lanzarote. Dressed entirely in black and never smiling, Anne stands out among the other vacationers. She doesn’t speak, communicating instead through a notebook that includes the line: “I’m not deaf. I just don’t speak.”
From the beginning, it’s clear Anne is selectively mute—she has stopped talking for a devastating reason. As Iris Murdoch wrote, “The bereaved cannot communicate with the unbereaved,” a sentiment that resonates with Anne, who is reading Murdoch’s The Sea, The Sea during her trip. In her interactions with others, she appears distant, detached, or easily annoyed. It’s a challenging role for an actor to convey so much without words, but Potts’ expressive, intelligent eyes speak volumes.
For a film, however, silence alone isn’t quite enough. There are no flashbacks; instead, the audience pieces together clues about Anne’s tragedy through small details—a photo in her wallet, a business card. By chance, she meets Bill, a kind-hearted but socially awkward Irishman played sympathetically by David Ganly. Bill is also on holiday, a trip he planned for his children after a difficult divorce. While Anne remains silent, Bill talks incessantly, leading to moments that are both awkward and humorous.
Though the premise is intriguing, the script struggles to fully explore the complexity of Anne’s grief, and the story doesn’t entirely cohere by the end. Signs of Life opens in UK and Irish cinemas on September 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the film Signs of Life designed to be helpful for both new and seasoned viewers
General Beginner Questions
Q What is Signs of Life about
A Its a slowburn drama about a family who moves to the volcanic island of Lanzarote to cope with a devastating loss only to find that their raw grief has followed them and cannot be escaped
Q Is this movie based on a true story
A No it is a fictional narrative However its portrayal of grief is very realistic and grounded in genuine human emotion
Q Who directed Signs of Life
A The film was directed by the British filmmaker and visual artist Jessica Hausner
Q What is the tone or mood of the film
A The tone is overwhelmingly somber quiet and contemplative Its not a feelgood movie its a thoughtful and often heavy meditation on loss
Q Is there a lot of dialogue in the movie
A No its a very quiet film The storytelling relies heavily on visuals atmosphere and the actors expressions to convey emotion rather than extensive dialogue
For Viewers Considering Watching
Q Who would enjoy this movie
A Viewers who appreciate slowpaced artistic and characterdriven European cinema If you like films that focus on mood and internal struggle over plot you might appreciate it
Q Who should probably avoid this movie
A Anyone looking for a fastpaced plot action comedy or an uplifting story Its a challenging watch due to its heavy subject matter and deliberate pace
Q Is the movie depressing
A It is undeniably sad and deals directly with profound grief so many will find it emotionally heavy However some may find its honest portrayal cathartic rather than purely depressing
Q Why is the setting of Lanzarote important
A The islands stark black volcanic landscape acts as a powerful visual metaphor for the familys internal statebarren alien and scarred by a past cataclysm The setting is a central character in the film
Deeper Analytical Questions
Q What are the main themes of Signs of Life
A The core themes are the inescapability of
