As a devoted horror enthusiast, I often find it disheartening how little appreciation the genre receives compared to others, especially when mainstream audiences tend to favor predictable narratives and jump scares. It’s frustrating that horror feels like a niche interest, even though its popularity has been steadily growing recently. I went into *The Lodge* with modest expectations, which ultimately helped me enjoy it immensely; it's quickly become one of my favorite films of 2020 so far. It stands out as remarkably unconventional within the horror landscape. While it incorporates elements that audiences often dislike—a focus on visual storytelling, a deliberate slow pace, and very few jump scares—these are precisely what make it compelling. The visuals are captivating thanks to clever camera work and set design, creating an intensely unsettling atmosphere throughout the house. Some viewers might be put off by the limited dialogue, but I appreciate films that prioritize showing over telling. The film’s measured pace is skillfully maintained. Aside from a brief lull in the second act where little new information emerges about the plot or characters, each scene serves a purpose—either developing personalities or advancing the story. The script unfolds in a way that consistently holds your attention: an event occurs, characters react, something significant is revealed, and so on. Even between these key moments, the unsettling atmosphere persists, and the sparse but impactful dialogue remains intriguing. The film’s considerable strengths lie in its technical aspects. From the striking cinematography (by Thimios Bakatakis, who has collaborated with Yorgos Lanthimos on four films) to the exceptional production design, this single-location movie creates a suffocating environment enhanced by strong performances. Riley Keough delivers one of her finest portrayals, perfectly balancing elements that leave you questioning whether her character is rational or unstable; much of the mystery surrounding Grace stems from Riley’s performance. Jaeden Martell also gives a commendable performance, and I'm pleased to see him consistently involved in quality projects. However, Lia McHugh truly shines—her work is phenomenal for such a young actress (just twelve years old). Her final scene with Jaeden is genuinely remarkable; both actors are incredibly captivating during that moment. The acting across the board is impressive. I do have some reservations regarding character development. Grace’s backstory remains a significant enigma, and its ambiguity feels somewhat unsatisfactory. While I appreciate the film's reliance on visual storytelling, I think more explicit explanations would have helped viewers better understand Grace’s journey. My other concern relates to the children’s motivations, but I must be vague to avoid spoilers. Their actions throughout the movie are motivated by something that, while I can partially comprehend their perspective, seems unrealistic for young children to even conceive of, let alone execute so seamlessly. This is the best way I can articulate my issue with these characters. Ultimately, despite some character-related problems, the film contains genuinely shocking moments (the first act is superb) and a powerful, bold conclusion. *The Lodge* is one of my favorite films of 2020 thus far. However, it possesses qualities that often fail to appeal to mainstream audiences. Some viewers might find its visual storytelling too ambiguous, its pace too slow, or the lack of jump scares disappointing. Fortunately, these are all aspects I appreciate. This atmospheric horror film is elevated by its exceptional technical elements, particularly Thimios Bakatakis’s unusual cinematography and the claustrophobic production design. Featuring a strong lead performance from Riley Keough and outstanding work from Jaeden Martell and Lia McHugh (a standout at just twelve years old), the Austrian directing duo (Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz) delivers one of the least formulaic horror movies in recent memory. Nevertheless, the three main characters deserved more fleshed-out development and clearer motivations. I recommend it to dedicated horror fans, but if you prefer a more conventional horror experience, this might not be for you. Rating: A-

Source on TMDB