Gripping Blend of Atmosphere and Performance

Read Time:3 Minute, 24 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Lovely, Dark, and Deep
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Teresa Sutherland
Writer(s): Teresa Sutherland
Cast: Nick Blood, Georgina Campbell, Wai Ching Ho
Where To Watch: arrives on VOD nationwide on Thursday, February 22, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: In her inaugural feature-length directorial venture, Teresa Sutherland takes us on a cinematic journey that’s as haunting as captivating with LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP. The film is wrapped in a chilling blanket of despair, impending unease, and suspense. Georgina Campbell steps into the boots of Lennon, a newly assigned park ranger in a secluded wilderness.

The grandeur of the vast wilderness is portrayed as an engaging character. It’s an alluring labyrinth hidden under its serene exterior. As Lennon begins to unravel mysteries and disappearances tied to her new jurisdiction, her tranquility is shattered. Time and space start to warp around her. It takes a remarkable cinematic eye to tackle the open wilderness like this; the feeling of a vast endless space while also feeling claustrophobic is an incredible achievement.

Sutherland breathes an uncanny life into the forest in LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP. At the same time, Campbell’s portrayal of Lennon compels the audience to invest themselves in the tale of psychological fright and terror that the movie expertly crafts. The storyline starts with an ominous message from a ranger that signals Lennon’s appointment. Her yearning for solitude meets a challenge in the wilderness, stripped of the everyday resources one would use to help. The combination of a “natural” score and gorgeous cinematography come together under Sutherland’s adept direction. These dread-imbued sounds become a critical component of the narrative.

The amplified wilderness whispers serve as the backdrop for Lennon’s solitude; this world escalates her isolation as she begins to question more and more with growing unease. A past tragedy bonds Lennon to the landscape as she battles memories of the past that make this modern-day reality much more traumatic. The line between real and imaginary becomes increasingly nebulous as we learn more about the history, present, and the secrets these woods keep.
LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP delve into the depths of American folk horror, subtly inducing fear rather than resorting to overt shock tactics. The film’s potency is derived from symbolic elements and playing off the unknown, making you question if you saw what you saw. Are these events genuine or mere manifestations?

LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP offers a sophisticated narrative blend of atmospheric visuals and riveting performances. Sutherland explores her deep connection to the woods and her influence on her storytelling. She reflects on her childhood camping trips, and her experiences as an adult reveal the wilderness’s true character – visually striking, mysterious, and potentially treacherous.

Sutherland discloses her intrigue with national parks and her decision to channel this passion through her film. LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP is her unique interpretation of the conspiracy theories about the unsolved disappearances in national parks and forests. She invites viewers to delve into these theories, albeit with a caveat about the potential sleepless nights that may follow.

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[photo courtesy of XYZ FILMS, QWGMIRE]

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