The Midnight Swim

June (Lindsay Burdge) with her half-sisters Annie (Jennifer Lafleur) and Isa (Aleksa Palladino) travel to the lakeside family vacation home. Their mother Amelia Brooks (Beth Grant) disappeared after going for a swim. Filmmaker June is filming their experience. Mysterious happenings send the girls to suspect something ghostly.

I expected more of a horror. It's trying to be spooky and atmospheric. More than anything, it's very slow. It's a mystery that comes to little. At less than ninety minutes, the movie is too long for its material. I do like the sisterly chemistry, but there isn't much else.

If you're all about the feels and could care less about substance, you'll probably love this and coo about it to all your gal (and maybe certain guy) pals.

Solid film-making and acting are wasted.

For a better movie, with a similar concept, setting and an actual payoff, watch Honeymoon (2014).

This is not a horror film, rather it is semi drama and semi pseudo-philosophical tripe, which ends up making no sense. Waste of time watching it.

This movie was rooted in outstanding performances by the sisters. Lindsay Burdge is a flat out amazing actress and was maybe even out-acted by Jennifer Lafleur and Aleska Palladino. Their performances alone kept me watching.

However, I am not sure where are these reviews of "horror" and "haunting" are coming from. This movie baits you in to think there will be some bone-chilling climax, but never delivers. This may steer many people away that go into this movie expecting some chills. it is FLAT OUT not suspenseful at all.

This movie is a great story, it is mind bending, and thought provoking with some great acting...but that is where it stops. The story progresses slowly and never really capitalizes on the small moments that are set to build up suspense.

If you do watch, go into it as a short drama with good performances. Do not expect to be blown away by suspense or a thrilling plot.

It's difficult to recommend this as it blends different genres in a very specific way. It's found footage with non-FF elements. It's mostly a drama about three grieving sisters, but with a supernatural undertone. For some it could be too much of a family drama. For others it could have too much creepy stuff.

I'm a fan of FF horror films, and that's what led me to The Midnight Swim. It starts to go down that path with the mythology of the lake, but for horror fans it's best to think of the film only dipping its toe in. The real story is the relationship between the sisters, and dealing with grief. Despite not expecting the film to go in that direction I was pleasantly surprised. There are some stunning shots, superb acting, and a moving exploration of dying and rebirth. All of which is interwoven into an old ghost story.