It’s a high stress situation as Grace (Riley Keough) is left alone with the children of her fiancé (Richard Armitage) at the titular lodge. The children (Jaeden Martell and Lia McHugh) shun Grace, and begin digging up the horrors of her past.
Filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala – the duo behind “Goodnight Mommy” – know how to craft a creepy film. The setting itself is a remote cabin surrounded by a bleak winter landscape. Not a single frame is wasted as we watch the slow burning thriller progress. I was instantly reminded of the rising star Ari Aster and his debut piece “Hereditary.” Each scene is a work of art in and of itself, and keen eyed observers will find obvious influences to other films.
The performance of Riley Keough is the driving force of the production. Keough has the ability to perfectly portray Grace; a character that has witnessed her own traumas in life and is now dealing with a new and haunting situation. Jaeden Martell dazzled in “IT” and continues the progression of his still young career. He works well with Lia McHugh and the pair have a great brother and sister dynamic in the movie.
“The Lodge” is incredibly dark. Not only the desolate nature of its location, but the meat of the story itself. Themes of death and overzealous pulpit preaching fill the screen. Some of the more haunting images of Christianity, like a chilling painting or a crucifix that seems to speak to Grace, make for some great and terrifying moments. The house itself has an empty feel to it. Walls are devoid of décor and the layout gives of a subtle disconcerting vibe. I was reminded of a 2015 indie gem “The House on Pine Street” with its understated horror tones.
At 108 minutes the slow burn may be too slow at times. There isn’t much in the way of scares – just a continuous stream of haunting moments with amazing cinematography. While I found the final act to be the weakest point, it’s the type of film that is fun to analyze after watching and I could sit through it again now that I know the complete story.
“The Lodge” is a heavy psychological horror/thriller. It has excellent acting and direction. The ending may be head shaking but it’s a very good film to check out. It’s not a traditional horror movie, but one that leaves you feeling uneasy.
