“While the United States blocks yet another UN resolution on global warming, London continues to suffer. As the River Thames rises to its highest level since Black November 1999, and with the approaching full moon and persistent rains, the further outlook for Londoners appears bleak.” – Radio news broadcaster.

A mixture of fear and fascination awaits those who check out Tony Maylam’s Split Second. This director creates an eerie atmosphere backed by water-logged conditions, extremely dark claustrophobia and terrifying crime scene coverage. Yet it feels so economical, we can enjoy some peripheral humour surrounding the chaos.

As Harley Stone, Rutger Hauer conveys a fish-out-of-water syndrome reminiscent of how Vietnam veterans might have felt trying to re-insert themselves into mass population. He’s got a boss who hates him, an old cop buddy with eyes for venom and a girlfriend who stays away. Eventually, he’s allowed to remain on the streets so he can find the monster in question. However, he must break in a new partner. For Dick Durkin (Neil Duncan), working with Stone requires him to be a homicide investigator and a psychiatrist.

Split Second arrives on the scene, carrying a flaming torch of a film score. Composed by Stephen W. Parsons and Francis Haines, their music has the power to keep you wide awake at night. Meanwhile, Clive Tickner’s camerawork features some misty blue highlights, which come across as darkly beautiful.

(Released by HBO Video and rated "R" by MPAA.)