Martyrs Lane

As much as many horror genre fans hate to admit it, ghosts stories are deeply spiritual.

There's has been a resurgence of interest in the ghost story as an exploration of mortality in recent years. Films such as The Dark and the Wicked, Saint Maud and Relic for example all address death and loss almost exclusively as a spiritual experience.

In Martyrs Lane, all the usual Horror tropes are stripped bare, leaving only the only true significance of any ghost story; a contemplation on death.

It occasionally makes for some uncomfortable viewing. Perhaps one of the more successful aspects of this story was the way it incorporated faith and religion.

I think we've grown used to seeing the religion as some kind of superpower in the fight against demonic possession, here through, faith is effectively powerless as an instrument of change.

The acting performances and direction are incredible.

This is a touching exploration of our place in the world, our existence and a powerful reminder of how short our time on earth can me.

The movie ran a little bit on the slow side, but maintained it's creepy atmosphere. Its not a bad story line but It's very British. I'm a firm believer that you have to be both like and understand the dry British wit, humor, and culture to enjoy any British film. A lot of Americans don't have that ability. Case in point, the reviewer from earlier this evening who gave the film 1 star and stopped watching because of a black female Bishop. For his, and everyone's information, the church represented in the movie is not the Roman Catholic Church. It's the Anglican Church of England. In the jolly ol C of E, they began ordaining their first women into the priesthood in 1994. So, it is entirely possible that they have a Bishop whom is both female and black. The C of E also allows their priests to get married and have families. So it is also very possible that the girls father is a priest in good standing. Despite all that. With any horror movie it's a good rule of thumb not to think too deeply or take it too seriously and try to enjoy the scary stuff.

The two little girls' acting skills elevate an already engrossing story into excellence. The plot is not unique, but the production is so well done and the characters so engaging that it feels new and different.

Very nicely executed supernatural thriller about a young girl who experiences ghostly goings on in her new home.

There's effective details in this one, as the mystery is slowly revealed by way of smalls clues that bit by bit complete the central puzzle. The main event being a little girl who visits the protagonist in the dead of night and tells her the location of items to be collected. Acting, in particular by the two young actresses, is excellent.

Subtle, yet involving stuff.

No spooky monsters or slahser murderers in this movie.

Just a well crafted mystery movie with great actors.

The pieces of the puzzles are not being rubbed in your face (like in Hollywood "horror" movies), but being handed out tothe viewer to put them together in their head, to be completed.

Well done!