Remember when watching a foreign film meant sub-titles, out-of-synch dubbing, and plots that make little to no sense at all? The artsy films out of Europe seem to be fewer and further between, because I‘ve seen some really good films in the last few months and the quirky Dorothy Mills is no different.

The movie is set in a small town on a island in the Atlantic, off the coast of Ireland, and begins with a babysitting incident, where the parents come home to their crying baby and Dorothy (Jenn Murray – her first outing) hurting the child by trying to force a bottle into it‘s mouth. It’s decided that before having her committed, she needs a psychiatric evaluation and Jane Van Dopp (Carice Van Houten – Valkyrie), who has recently lost a child, makes the trip. Living on an isolated island, the town folk are wary of outsiders and keep their secrets to themselves and don’t take to Jane much, really, not at all. Dorothy eventually comes to trust her and opens up. And the story that unfolds, over time, is a sordid tale of crimes and secrets, with a touch of supernatural thrown in.

Special Features consist of The Making of Dorothy Mills.

Dorothy Mills is another pleasant surprise in a growing list of thriller / horror movies coming to us from abroad. On the negative side, the accents are thick and the slang colloquial, so you tend to rewind to hear what’s been said or you watch with the subtitles on. But if you‘re looking for a film that that keeps you guessing and then changing your guesses, this is for you. If you want a movie that where you suddenly find yourself on the edge of your seat, this one’s for you.

ComicsOnline gives Dorothy Mills 4 island secrets out of 5.