Alan's pick this week, Little Bone Lodge starring Joely Richardson, Sadie Soverall, Harry Cadby, and Neil Linpow.
Alan's Take:
With Little Bone Lodge we once again find ourselves at the softer end of the horror genre, and once again it's almost entirely a single location movie.
This time we find ourselves in a remote Scottish farm, miles from anywhere, in the company of Mama (Joely Richardson), the sheltered daughter Maisy (Sadie Soverall), and Pa (Roger Adobe) who is non-verbal and unable to move.
During a heavy storm, their domestic peace is shattered with pounding on the door. We are introduced to Matty (Harry Cadby), who has learning difficulties, and Jack (Neil Linpow), who has a metal object protruding from his stomach and is in need of medical attention.
It's obvious from the moment we meet them that Matty and Jack have committed some sort of crime and that the family are now in jeopardy — but how this unfolds is a credit to director Matthias Hoene (Cockneys vs Zombies, The Warriors Gate). At various points through the film you find yourself empathising with all of the protagonists.
The film is not obvious, and the journey it takes you on I can only hint at here — the less you know about it, the more you'll enjoy it.
I like everything about this one. No real jump scares to be found, just a good, thought-provoking movie.
Clare's Verdict:
Little Bone Lodge starts slowly — more thriller than horror — but don't let that put you off. By the time you reach the final act, it's crept under your skin in a way you won't forget in a hurry. Disturbing rather than scary, and all the more effective for it.
It's beautifully atmospheric, well acted throughout, and the remote Scottish setting adds a real sense of isolation and dread. I've watched it twice now, and it absolutely holds up — in fact, second time around you notice things you missed. One of those films that lingers.
The Scores:
⭐ Alan: 7/10 — "A good, thought-provoking movie — I like everything about this one."
⭐ Clare: 7/10 — "Disturbing in the best possible way. It stays with you."
🩸 Gore Score: 2/5
😱 Jump Scares: 0/5
🎭 Vibe: Slow burn psychological thriller with a deeply unsettling finale
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