Icelandic writer/director Anton Sigurdsson clearly had a vision when developing the story Women. Human behavior is complicated by many factors, and in the age-old discussion about nature vs. nurture, the latter and its impact cannot be denied. This is a film with a lot to say, and while not perfect in its execution, it’s an impactful thriller that will speak to many viewers.

The film begins with Detective Hawk (Adam Dorsey) arriving at a crime scene. An unidentified woman’s body is discovered, and this leads to a discussion of a string of disappearances in the area over the last five years. Determined to discover the woman’s identity and help find others who’ve gone missing, Hawk sets out to further investigate. At the forefront of the investigation is sociology professor Bradley Gilmore. Hawk initially questions him upon discovery that several missing women were his students. After their initial meeting, he’s led back to the professor as his story does not add up.

Don’t be fooled by the trailer or the basic description of this story. On the surface, it’s a crime thriller. Beneath that, it’s brimming with an in-depth view of the dark side of humanity. Viewers are given an ongoing glimpse into the personal life of Detective Hawk.  His motivation on the job is fueled by his life as the child of an addict. Alongside his story is that of Professor Gilmore, and two of his former students, Jennifer and Hailey. As the film progresses, we’re given a glimpse into how the environment can shape our thoughts and behavior.

The film is truly unsettling in the crimes depicted and concerning how easily people can be molded and manipulated to fit a certain role. Manipulation is a key theme here, and while the main focus is on the women who’ve been taken captive, it’s also present in the lives of Hawk and Gilmore. While the pacing is a bit slow in the first half, the tension builds and there are moments of heart-pounding suspense throughout the second half.

Along with manipulation, there are messages here about several topics—the objectification of women is front and center, while the film also touches on addiction and co-dependency. With these heavy topics woven into the fabric of the film, it leads the viewer through a range of emotions. The acting is not superb across the board, but Adam Dorsey gives a strong performance as Detective Hawk. The female characters feel a bit secondary until later in the film, and this may be intentional considering the message at hand. However, it would’ve been nice to see a bit more of Jennifer’s development following her trauma. While the plight of these women is meant to be front and center, it took a bit of a backseat to Hawk’s personal story, which stole the show at times.

Women is effective on several counts. It leaves the viewer with questions on topics that should be explored. It’s also frightening because it’s realistic in many ways. Ultimately it’s an emotional piece, taking viewers through a range of feelings. For that reason alone, it will leave an impact on many, and its message will linger for some time. I hope that we’ll see more of these stories, especially from the perspective of a heavily female filmmaking crew. In the meantime, this is a solid attempt at shining a light on the dark parts of human behavior, and a glimpse at the talents of writer/director Anton Sigurdsson.

8 out of 10