The I-Land Season 1 places the audience into a suspenseful and mysterious survival game on a beautiful, but dangerous island. The series is a good blend of psychological thriller and science fiction, which carries a dramatic mood of mystery and explores the issues of identity, moral and redemption. The fact that the island is a cruel virtual reality prison is an added layer of thought-provoking revelation, since it raises questions of justice and humanity. The mood swings between the excruciating tension and the cynical self-exposure as the audience is left wondering what is real and what is a show.
The acting is also worthy, and the characters with their uncivilized feelings and complex relations provoke sympathy and interest. The series is highly entertaining to the eyes with beautiful landscapes and the threatening world that is so contrasted and also adds to the feeling of the beauty and the danger. The special effects and production design add to the confusing atmosphere that builds up the suspense. Score gradually gives the film tension and editing is very fast and keeps the audience on their seats, though at times it loses depth as a result of rapid action. There is minimal dialogue, but the effects of the dialogue are significant and encourage the audience to read between the lines to enhance the emotional appeal.
The most striking thing about the series was how it examined the fallibility and resilience of man when confronted with extreme situations. It has caused me to think of the veneer civility is and how misfortune makes us what we are really like. Although the series is not without its imperfections (sometimes the plot is hastily developed and some scenes are ambiguous in the plot), the series provides an interesting, emotionally-charged ride. The I-Land is a fierce critique of reality and morality, which creates a memorable impact regarding hope, redemption and human spirit complexities.
