The Austrian thriller-drama is competing against almost one hundred films from various countries for the upcoming (2016) American Academy Awards. I’m hoping it makes the final selection and wish the cast and crew well. It's a film with a small cast, set in an isolated lake house where a mother and her nine-year-old twin boys reside. Following their mother’s return from major facial surgery, the boys begin to question whether she is who they think she is. They are forced to take an unusual approach to uncover the truth. Initially, the film felt slow, but it picks up speed starting with the second half and finishes strongly. It's important to be open-minded, especially when watching this movie; try to understand what it’s trying to convey rather than focusing on your own expectations. Making predictions is fine, but avoid making broad assumptions. The storytelling is straightforward, and while the ending might seem predictable, the film doesn’t attempt to offer any surprises. Before you can grasp the twist, a few things need to be clarified. The first question you must ask yourself is what “horror” means to you. Demons? Ghosts? Creepy creatures? Zombies? Possession or exorcism? Haunted places and objects? An imposter? You know that "terror" is closely related to "thriller," rather than being a true horror film. Different movies interpret these concepts differently, but this one isn’t particularly distinctive in that regard, except for its unconventional way of revealing details about the story and characters. > "I want you to repeat ten times > that I'm your mother." This film deviates from genre conventions in some ways, which is likely why it didn’t satisfy horror fans—though it’s better off without those expectations. You need to pay close attention from the very beginning, observing each scene carefully. The storytelling begins with a clue within the first ten minutes that essentially functions as the twist. If you miss it, the rest of the film may not be engaging enough. It's really a one-time watch; seeing it again won’t have the same impact. Some viewers are put off by the early reveal of what seems like a major plot point and expect a different twist later on, only to be disappointed. It’s understandable if audiences feel annoyed, but the film is atypical—it simply rearranges the order of the three acts. The writer intended for viewers to remain guessing throughout their viewing experience; that's the twist in the filmmaking itself, not in the story. Beyond that, it wasn’t a particularly clever movie with plot twists meant to amaze or confuse you. It does have a proper conclusion, and you’ll likely know what’s coming, but you will have to wait for how it unfolds. I've noticed many people criticizing this aspect specifically, but I thought it worked well and improved the film. It’s definitely one of the best films of the year, at least in my opinion. The promotional materials—the posters, trailer, and teaser—were true to what the movie delivers; they don’t try to mislead you, except as I mentioned if you expect things to happen a certain way. Avoid the usual horror tropes like elaborate graphics and sudden loud noises designed to scare you. If you're a fan of Hollywood films, you might miss those elements and criticize the movie for their absence. It marks a strong directorial debut, and the twin actors are credited by their real names. It contains some intense moments, but limits graphic content. There’s less dialogue and more action. This is an unusual film, and I'm surprised that critics liked it more than hardcore movie fans did. I’m glad I wasn’t among those who disliked it. My only disappointment is the final scene—the exit scene (which in Hollywood films often involves a kiss)—that comes after the conclusion and before the end credits. I strongly recommend it, and I hope you take my comments into consideration; otherwise, I wouldn't really suggest watching it. 8/10

Source on TMDB