Cine Spotlights: The Vanishing (15) & Illustrated talk with Dr Christina Brennan

The Netherlands’ most famous psychological thriller, introduced with an illustrated talk by Dr Christina Brennan.

A young couple, Rex and Saskia, are on a summer cycling trip in rural France. During a regular stop-off at a service station, Saskia disappears. Rex is haunted by what happened to Saskia and will stop at nothing to find out what happened to his girlfriend. Only one man knows Saskia's fate. After stalking Rex and following his obsessive efforts to retrace Saskia's final steps, he offers to reveal the truth to Rex—but at a terrible price.

This terrifying film by Dutch director George Sluizer is a memorable psychological thriller that offers a closer look at the mundanity of evil. The slow-burn plot lulls its audience into a false sense of security but turns into a dark, almost Gothic tale of grief and obsession.

Dr Christina Brennan, author of the first book on The Vanishing (published in March 2025 with Liverpool University Press), will take us through the inspiration for The Vanishing and its adaptation from the Dutch crime novel of the same name. Her talk will cover the film's production history, critical reception, and comparisons to Hitchcock's most famous films. It will also offer an in-depth look at The Vanishing's status within European cinema.

Cine Spotlights—Pictureville’s new film education season sees a deep dive into a film’s themes, genres, directors, or subject matter. A screening every month will feature an expert delivering an illustrated talk alongside a screening, offering unparalleled insight into film history and expanding your understanding of what cinema can be.