‘Echo Valley’ Review: Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney Star in Apple TV+’s Satisfyingly Tense Domestic Thriller

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Since the passing of her partner Patty (Kristina Valada-Viars) nearly a year ago, mornings have been particularly tough for Kate Garretson (Julianne Moore), the main character in Michael Pearce’s satisfying domestic thriller titled “Echo Valley“. As a horse rancher, she starts her day with evident sorrow that is often captured by the camera, as portrayed by Benjamin Kracun. In the opening scenes of the movie, a startled Kate, waking up from a troubling dream, slowly opens her eyes and takes a deep breath before sitting upright. Her feet make a soft thump on the fragile rug bordering her bed, reflecting the weight that has settled upon her daily routines.

The sudden demise of Patty left Kate’s life in shambles, as she struggles to manage the ranch, a vast expanse of lush greenery located in Chester, Pennsylvania. The weight of her sorrow has made it difficult for Kate to carry on with her usual horseback riding lessons; even the prospect of fixing her barn’s roof seems overwhelming. To make matters worse, when her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney), a wandering drug addict, requests financial help, Kate feels torn – she knows she should refuse, but a part of her is powerless to do so.

Under the skillful writing of Brad Ingelsby (known for Mare of Easttown), Pearce delves into the heartfelt aspect of maternal love in this film. The movie’s narrow yet intense focus – it’s emotional betrayals that offer the real suspense – along with its somber tone and convincing performances make it a compelling choice for streaming. Echo Valley certainly grasps its concept and meets its expectations. The movie takes some surprising turns, incorporating twists that demand a bit of suspension of disbelief, but they don’t entirely undermine the overall enjoyment. A significant part of this is due to Pearce’s confident direction, which strategically alters mood to maintain our curiosity and keep us guessing, even when moments of boredom threaten to arise.

In his past films such as “Beast” and “Encounter”, Pearce demonstrates a unique ability to reimagine common genres with a stylish twist. For the movie “Echo Valley”, he transforms Kate’s ranch, once a haven from a suffocating existence, into a setting heavy with the anguish of sorrow and desperation. Working alongside Kracun (of “The Substance”) and composer Jed Kurzel, Pearce opted for subdued color palettes, ominous violins, and raw emotions. Some of the most distressing scenes revolve around tense arguments between Kate and Claire regarding finances and support. The tension in their relationship is influenced by each woman’s unique sources of grief: Kate mourning her deceased wife and Claire lamenting the person she never became. Sweeney portrays her substance-dependent young character with some of the same edgy unpredictability that Zendaya, her “Euphoria” co-star, brings to Rue in the HBO series.

Upon our initial encounter with Claire, she’s a bundle of nerves and partial untruths. She heads back to her mother’s ranch to retrieve her messages since her boyfriend Ryan, played by Edmund Donovan, had smashed her phone during one of their heated disputes. Overjoyed to see her child, Kate yields to Claire’s every request and seldom probes further with questions. The duo exchanges heartfelt moments before Claire asks her mother for money once more. However, this time Kate is unable to oblige: With a lack of regular clients, she’s been compelled to borrow funds from her former spouse, a prominent lawyer in Philadelphia.

In the narrative, Claire, solely focused on her own problems and the recent predicament she’s stumbled into, refuses to trust her mother. She aggressively requests funds to repay their dealer Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson portraying a chilling antagonist), a cunning and dangerously intelligent individual. This leads to a heated argument between Kate and Claire, culminating in an angry Claire leaving and a shocked and distressed Kate remaining. This confrontation serves as a shocking turning point for Kate, allowing Moore’s performance to delve deeper into more heart-wrenching layers.

The real events unfold when Claire comes back to the farm carrying a body wrapped in plastic. She anxiously recounts her altercation with Ryan that led to his demise. Instead of questioning, Kate springs into action, taking care of the deceased and concocting a false story alongside Claire. Her unwavering loyalty to her daughter unwittingly involves her in a conspiracy far beyond her comprehension. Now, Kate is left with the task of figuring out the truth behind Claire, Ryan, and Jackie’s encounter.

Simultaneously, she’s dealing with the ups and downs of her sorrow, which becomes a little more bearable thanks to her dear friend Leslie (Fiona Shaw). Intimate scenes between them, such as dancing to Robyn in her home or taking care of horses together, provide essential breaks for both Kate and the audience.

As a gamer diving into the narrative of Echo Valley, I can tell you that this game takes some unexpected twists and turns in the tale of Kate’s complex life and bond with her daughter. Despite the tangled web that forms, Pearce skillfully navigates each thread, keeping things under control with his deft direction. A few instances feel overly forced, but they don’t derail the experience entirely. In the end, Echo Valley delivers where it counts, making for a compelling journey overall.

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2025-06-06 20:25