Fantasy Island (2020) reimagines the classic television concept as a horror-mystery thriller where paradise quickly descends into nightmare. The film follows a group of contest winners who arrive at a luxurious remote island where the enigmatic Mr. Roarke promises to fulfill their deepest fantasies. However, their personalized dreams—from romantic reunions to military heroics—soon twist into terrifying manifestations with deadly consequences.

Directed by Jeff Wadlow, the film attempts to blend fantasy elements with horror tropes, creating an atmospheric setting that initially captivates before unraveling into chaos. The ensemble cast, including Michael Peña as the mysterious Mr. Roarke, delivers committed performances despite the script's uneven execution. Maggie Q and Lucy Hale stand out as guests grappling with fantasies that reveal uncomfortable truths about their pasts and desires.

While the film's 4.9 IMDb rating reflects its narrative shortcomings and predictable twists, Fantasy Island offers enough suspenseful moments and creative horror sequences to entertain genre fans. The production design effectively contrasts the island's beautiful exterior with the dark secrets lurking beneath its surface. Viewers should watch Fantasy Island for its intriguing premise that explores how our deepest wishes might become our worst nightmares when removed from ethical constraints. The 109-minute runtime delivers a brisk, if sometimes messy, exploration of fantasy versus reality that provides solid weekend viewing for horror enthusiasts.