The drill it comes with such a strong cast and concept that it definitely builds expectations.
Martin Compston (Policy), John Glen (game of Thrones), Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) and Owen Teale (game of Thrones) -what’s wrong?
After the recent of Great Britain Watch on a submarine with Suranne Jones, we’re all set for another thriller now on an oil rig in the North Sea.
Compston plays Fulmer, the radio communications guy on the giant Kinloch Bravo, who appears to be subject to an underwater earthquake that no one knows about.
Iain Glen is Chief Magnus, working alongside company rep/scientific expert Rose (Emily Hampshire) while Owen Teale is angry grassroots worker, Hutton. There’s also LGBTQI+ Doctor Cat (Rochenda Sandall) who will have more than her share of test work in this story.
Tensions are already high (and Scottish accents thick) as the story kicks off with workers frustrated with delays in finishing shifts and getting home. But things get complicated when a blackout hits the structure, followed shortly after by a strange fog that envelops them all.
From there it’s an apparent descent into insanity that really needs no further elaboration or spoilers. Suffice it to say, everyone is, well, all overboard with no help, no communication, and a mounting death toll.
While Compston is as you’d expect the obvious hero of writer David Macpherson’s 6-part saga, screen time is fairly evenly distributed among the key ensemble cast. Emily Hampshire ditches all her comedy, but not her North American accent, to play the very straight corporate woman concerned with meeting deadlines and budgets.
Iain Glen adopts the wise father figure, taking no chances and trying to keep his rabble in check without really understanding what he’s dealing with. That leaves Owen Teale stepping up as the deranged, wayward villain for no particular reason other than that someone has to.
If the fog came from an old John Carpenter movie I wouldn’t be surprised. There are hints of something supernatural, or perhaps ancient.
“All this sea was land…” we learn.
“Out here the things that can’t happen, always happen.”
Only 3 of the 6 episodes were provided for review. As the scenes got more and more ridiculous, it was clear this rig is in pretty shallow water, which isn’t to say it isn’t decent entertainment for a silly season.
Heck I’ll probably watch the other 3 just so I can yell at my TV by the end.
The drill it’s not the “character-driven” thriller as it’s promoted, and would probably work best as a 90-minute film, but with a tub of popcorn you could do a lot worse before heading back to the office.
The Rig airs Friday on Prime Video.
