Martyrs Lane

This film follows a young girl growing up in a household where there has been some kind of "incident".

This film is quite slow and plays out in a very careful considered manner.

Now this is not particularly scary or thrilling in any superficial way but is very creepy on more intimate levels.

Like listening to a person who tells a story in a soft voice, you have to sit quietly and pay attention.

The story is very conservative with its plot elements - it would have been easy to make the dad an alcoholic or the sister an abusive drug pusher but not every story has to be based on a tragedy of epic human failings.

When supernatural things do happen (and they are relatively small things) they have a much heavier impact than most horror movies.

Some of the scenes are very claustrophobic and lull you in to a false sense of security before suddenly, but subtly, revealing that things can turn quickly. I had shivers down my spine on a few occasions.

Other reviewers have said this is boring and slow and not worth your time and I do get that but, rather than a big heaping trifle with sparklers sticking out of it, this movie is more like a plate of cheese and biscuits - but a very tasty one.

The cast is great (especially Kiera and Sienna) the production doesn't try too hard making this an easy watch.

I enjoyed this a lot and considering its cost I think everyone involved has made something to be proud of.

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.

Good one. It's not a typical jumpscare film - working much better as a drama with a strong atmosphere- and thank god for that, because reading the plot I was thinking "just another generic ghost story".

The acting from the main children is absolutely incredible, so realistic, so credible. The relationships in the family very distinct and well crafted. The good vs evil vs grey area always there. Emotionally very strong and very well shot. It's a bit predictable, but it's a really good story avoiding a lot of clichés.

I thought that this was a very good movie .The pace was a bit slow but the acting by these 2 talented young girls was quite brilliant .

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.