Lake Of Death

Lake of Death (De DodesTjern) (2019)

Runtime: 94 minutes

Directed by: Nini Bull Robsahm

Starring: Iben Akerlie, Ulric Von Der Esch, Jonathan Harboe, Elias Munk, Patrick Walshe McBride

From: Canopy Film

Featuring a spirit that not only prepares breakfast, but even sets the table.

This was the first of two movies I viewed on Shudder last night-the second review will probably debut in around 8 hours time-that had plenty in common: they were horror films set at a cabin in the woods, where both deal w/ characters getting together after a death but spooky events happen... both even were directed by women. This was seen first, and I presume the 1958 Norwegian film it's based on was more exciting than this dull flaccid piece of work.

A lady's twin brother (who uses sign language) disappears after the first scene. Honestly, a character with that disability peacing out so quickly wasn't the only issue I had with that person. Anyhow, that lady and her friends go to the cabin where she last saw her bro, and... the first 2/3 of the movie is not only cliché and had lame jump scares, not a lot happens and some of it is so obviously based on actual horror classics, the characters blatantly reference it. She has weird visions, the dog won't go into the house, there is a hidden basement, and... yawn until the third act. Once things happen, it's too little too late... not to mention it feels underwhelming once you find out what's going on. The destination was not worth the journey, in other words.

A shame this wasn't better; this even had some talent from Hollywood in the crew, chiefly composer John Debney and longtime Raimi collaborator Bob Murawski as the editor. Of course the rural Norwegian scenery was gorgeous and a few moments did make me chuckle. Aside from the fact that an apparent spirit was nice enough to make breakfast and set the table for everyone, but one of the friends is best described as “Danish Jon Bon Jovi”. Be that as it may, that is certainly not enough for me to ever recommend this.