THE LODGE [2019]

 SNOWED IN WITH ELVIS' GRANDDAUGHTER!  

"THE LODGE" is the newest film from Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala and sadly it's the first film of theirs I've seen!  Yeah, I have had GOODNIGHT MOMMY in my mountain of "to watch" movies and haven't gotten to it yet.  I'll have to remedy that as "THE LODGE" is a mesmerizing, character-driven, doom-laden, snowed-in blast.  I'm not gonna talk too much plot here because . . . well, you should watch it.  Richard and Laura (hmmm . . . .) are separated parents with two children: Aiden and Mia.  Richard wants a divorce so he can marry a woman named Grace -- who happens as a child to have been the only survivor of a mass suicide in a religious cult.  Over the Christmas hols, Richard has to work so he invites the kids and Grace to stay up at the old lodge for a few days until he can rejoin them.  So that's it.  Of course, that's nowhere near it.  But watch it to see what it becomes.  

Obviously I'm a huge sucker for remote locations, moody houses, snowed-in situations and spooky atmosphere.  It's all here . . . and Grady too!  The script written by the directors and Sergio Casci is phenomenal and the acting is without exception stunning.  Riley Keogh (IT COMES AT NIGHT) is just stunningly good as Grace and Jaeden Martell (KNIVES OUT, IT) and Lia McHugh (Marvel's ETERNALS) and nearly as good; which helps because these three actors carry most of the film.  Richard Armitage (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, THE HOBBIT films) and Alicia Silverstone (CLUELESS) are just as magnificent in smaller roles.  I mean really?!?!?!  Alicia Silverstone?!?!?!? 

But yeah, believe it!  The direction by F&F is also pretty darn flawless handled with a deftness and sensitivity that makes the whole thing come alive; of course, they're helped by the magnificent performances of the actors.  One small warning is that THE LODGE has an ending which tends to piss people off; when the end credits roll you may find yourself yelling "NO!" at the screen.  But take a few breaths, take a beat and you will quickly understand that the ending leaves you in no doubt as to how the movie ends but also how it really couldn't have ended any other way (without spoiling the movie, that is).  So trust in THE LODGE.  The film IS coming to get you . . . but trust in it anyway.  To get under your skin.