As a seasoned film enthusiast who has traversed through countless psychological horror films, I must say that The Lodge is one of the most unsettling and thought-provoking pieces I’ve come across recently. The way Franz and Fiala weave the story, leaving us hanging at the edge of our seats, is a testament to their masterful storytelling skills.
Warning: Spoilers for The Lodge.
As a movie critic, I found myself deeply immersed in “The Lodge,” penned by Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, and Sergio Casci, and skillfully directed by the duo of Franz and Fiala. From its chilling opening scenes, this psychological horror film left me on edge. The narrative unfolds around Grace (played by Riley Keough), a woman about to become a stepmother, who embarks on a Christmas holiday trip with her fiancé Richard (Richard Armitage) and his children, Aiden (Jaeden Martell) and Mia (Lia McHugh), to their isolated Massachusetts lodge. Yet, beneath the surface of this family vacation lurk unresolved issues that remain unaddressed, adding an extra layer of tension to their already strained dynamic.
Approximately six months ago, Richard’s estranged spouse, Laura (Alicia Silverstone), ended her life following his announcement that he wished to finalize their divorce so he could marry Grace. This situation appeared to involve infidelity, as Richard and Grace had initially met while Richard was conducting research for his book on the extremist cult that Grace’s father led when she was a child. As the sole survivor of the cult’s mass suicide, Grace still grapples with emotional wounds and relies on medication to manage her recurring nightmares.
To build a connection with Aiden and Mia, Grace proposes a vacation retreat as an opportunity for some quality family time, since Richard will initially be occupied with work and won’t be around the lodge. Regrettably, the children are reluctant to spend time with the person they hold responsible for their mother’s passing. Arriving at the snowy getaway, the atmosphere appears ordinary, yet the underlying tension is palpable.
Unfortunately, the day starts badly for Grace when she discovers that her house has no electricity. Not only is there no power, but the generator fails, spoiling the food in the fridge, and everyone’s possessions vanish – even the medication Grace had been secretly keeping. With their vehicles immobilized and cell phones dead, matters worsen as strange occurrences that hint at Grace’s mysterious past begin to manifest, causing alarm among them all.
Are Grace, Aiden, and Mia Trapped in Purgatory?
The longer Grace stays at the isolated cabin with Aiden and Mia, it becomes increasingly evident that her traumatic past continues to exert a strong influence over her. However, when the power fails, things quickly spiral out of control, and the psychological scars from Grace’s childhood start affecting everyone. Without her medication, the memories of her past resurface, catching Aiden and Mia off guard. It was later discovered that the children had intentionally caused the power outage as a means to torment Grace for her past wrongdoings against their mother. They faked their own deaths and made it seem like they were in purgatory, unbeknownst to Grace.
In a twisted turn of events, Aiden and Mia were the ones who cleared out the lodge, set up a fake obituary and memorial photo, tampered with the clock’s date, and hoisted Aiden in the rafters to make it seem like he had hung himself, but not really. Tragically, by the time they recognized their prank had gone too far, it was already too late; Grace had lost her mind due to their relentless imitation of her cult’s chants, pushing her to the brink. When Aiden and Mia attempted to dissuade her from this path, she refused to listen.
Does Richard Save His Children from Grace?
After not receiving any communication from Grace, Aiden, or Mia, it’s evident to Richard that something has gone wrong, causing him to quickly return to the lodge. Upon his arrival, he encounters a grim sight – Grace’s deceased dog, which should have been a warning sign of trouble. Climbing the stairs, he discovers Grace holding a gun while Aiden and Mia are cowering behind her in fear. Believing they are in purgatory due to what transpired with Laura, Grace believes she and Richard are being punished and the only way to escape is by repenting. In an attempt to prove her belief that they’ve already passed away, Grace points the gun at herself and attempts to pull the trigger. When the gun fails to fire, her delusional theory becomes even more firmly entrenched.
As Richard comes near, Grace brandishes a gun at his head and ends his life. In panic, Aiden and Mia call out for their father, but soon comprehend that they must flee. Yet when they attempt to depart in their dad’s car, it becomes trapped in the snow, preventing them from escaping Grace’s grasp. With her mental state deteriorated, Grace arranges Richard’s corpse at the dining table and compels Aiden and Mia to sit beside him. She then commences to sing a religious hymn that was common within her cult, and by the conclusion of it, Aiden and Mia, against their will, join in, singing as they wept.
Afterwards, Grace seals their mouths, including her own, with tape bearing the word “sin,” much like her cult did prior to their mass suicide. The presence of a gun on the table suggests there are still at least two unspent bullets. The movie ends abruptly, leaving it uncertain whether Aiden and Mia survive, but the somber mood strongly hints that they meet a tragic end.
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2024-12-25 03:31