The Lodge

What is the use of watching a thriller if you already know what is going to happen. Well,there could be some surprises thrown in that make it worth wile. Apart from a couple of creepy moments this movie has nothing interesting to offer. From the start you know how everything will play out. This could have been just fine if this movie delivered on other fronts. Apart from one element there are no redeeming factors. I can't talk about this element without spoiling the movie. But it does gives a bizarre twist on matters. Warning: Don't expect too much from this twist however since it is the most ridiculous twist I have seen. Some explanation could have made it more acceptable. Is this movie a waste of time? If there is nothing on television and you have nothing better to do than you won't be sorry. As long as you don't expect too much.

Went looking for the 2019 movie, found this one. It's already wasted enough of my time so I'll keep it short: it's bland and has nothing to offer, genuinely watch anything else.

As with many other horror stories, things seem to go wrong when you put any number of young people in the woods. With "The Lodge", this is no exception. A young couple, away from the world and set on a non-stop drug-fueled and sexually-charged romantic getaway, have rented the eponymous lodge. But plans go awry when they encounter the caretaker (soap opera guest star Kevin McClatchy), a friendly but seriously deranged woodsman.

There is much good that can be said about "The Lodge". For a film that is starring and created by completely unknown people, I was impressed with the final product. The writer (Deb Havener) went through extra effort to create a background for the characters (drummer from a rich family with a music degree, for example). The directing is solid, although I question why there are so many shots of the fields (it seems some shots and the opening credits served no purpose other than to stretch out the length). Music, lighting and all the technical aspects were of a respectable quality (not Hollywood, but at least straight-to-DVD).

The two male leads are on opposite ends of the spectrum in the talent department. The young lover was nothing special... he could have been anyone and have been played by anyone, I just had no reason to care about him. The caretaker, on the other hand, was dynamic and menacing. At times I felt he was creepy, at others I felt sorry for him, as he appeared more lonely than sadistic. The range and diversity of his emotions would be hard to put in one character and remain consistent, but yet this was achieved flawlessly. If there's one redeeming factor of this film, it's the caretaker.

On a side note, this film raises questions about relationships that I'd like to touch upon (sorry, horror fans). We are clued in early on that the male lead plans on proposing to the female lead, and we have to give him credit for choosing a beautiful locale and a gorgeous woman. But yet, the constant fighting makes it clear they may not be ready for long term commitment. What is the message here? Are we saying that marriage proposals are good and can solve problems? Are we saying that stressful situations can draw people closer? As I often opine, didn't "Speed" teach us anything? The biggest problem with "The Lodge" is the sheer blandness. While there is a fair level of success in creating a creepy atmosphere, at the same time we are rather limited because there are only three key characters. Unlike other horror films, no one can die here or the film has to end prematurely. So the suspense has to be drawn out as long as possible, which works at times and fails at others. Time is also filled with countless sex scenes that go nowhere (sorry, guys). And if you want gore, you're not going to see much here (low body count equals low blood flow).

I found "The Lodge" to be enjoyable and watchable (which, these days, is more than I can say for many films). But there was nothing here I haven't seen in a dozen other films. I give Deb Havener credit for the development but her plot writing needs work. For another story involving two people alone in a rented room, see "Vacancy". The sheer intensity of that one makes "The Lodge" look like a Lifetime Network film. And that's not good.

This unbelievably bad little piece of $hit, flick pi$$ed me off even though I only paid a dollar to rent it. Trust me when I say, a dollar was too much. This film contained it all.................stupid script, crappy acting, lousy cinematography, and an asinine "surprise" ending that was more laughable than scary! The absolute only reason to watch this trash are Elizabeth Kell's amazing, incredibly beautiful breasts. Otherwise avoid this stinker at all costs. Not sure what normally passes for entertainment with some of these other reviewers, but my guess from their praises of this movie is that it must feature either Teletubbies, Smurfs and any creature repeated being bludgeoned with an over-sized mallet. Wake up guys (and gals). "Direct to DVD" should have been the tip-off (as it should have been for me). However I won't make the same mistake.

A couple, Julia and Micheal, have their getaway weekend at a mountain luxury cabin upset when Henry, the creepy caretaker, takes an unnatural interest in them in this tight well-acted little direct to DVD thriller. I had little to no idea or expectations for this movie when I first started watching it. But as the story unfolded I found myself pleasantly surprised. Not at the story, because that's fairly generic, more at the execution of it all, which I found to be fairly slick. The film starts off slow but does a great job of building up tension and that kept me interested until the end (which admittedly falters a tad). I wouldn't have a problem recommending this to anyone.

Eye Candy: Liz Jones is topless in the pre-credits sequence

My Grade: B-