THE LODGERS (2017)

Of all the areas of the world I possibly would have expected to be up and coming for foreign horror, I can safely say Ireland was not one I would have predicted. Asian horror made big waves in the early 2000s (and was instrumental in making me the little creep I am today), while Spanish and South American films have been steadily on the rise, like the internet collectively losing it's cat-addled mind over VERONICA last year. But Ireland? No insult to LEPRECHAUN: BACK 2 THA HOOD, but it's not the first place one associates with horror. My opinion on this took a sharp 180 after seeing THE HALLOW last year, an absolutely fantastic combination of body horror and Irish folklore that left me curious to see more.

THE LODGERS was a completely random pick, and quite honestly may be my new favorite for random streaming offerings. Films like this remind me why I suffer through a lot of garbage. A classic Victorian Gothic in every sense, the film is lush and eerie, filled with crumbling mansion walls, moss-eaten tombstones in the yard, weed-choked lakes to hide the bodies, and a constant certainty that someone is always lurking nearby, just out of sight. The film follows a pair of teenage twins, apparently living alone in a decaying mansion in the woods since their parents' suicide years earlier - alone, except for the Lodgers who come out from the cellar in a flood of dark water every night while the children are abed. As long as brother and sister follow their rules, they will be safe. Or so they've been told.

This may not be for everyone, but it's exactly my jam - a well-written period piece that's atmospheric, moody, and genuinely creepy. It's not exactly fast-paced, but it carries on at a good clip and even the quieter scenes usually have something eerie and captivating. There are few if any jump scares, but what little we see of the mysterious Lodgers is distinct and terrifying. This movie should honestly be used as an example of just the right line between showing absolutely nothing and showing too much. It's also a great illustration of having unique effects that are neither hokey or overly CGI. The recurring image of water droplets flowing upward into the air is fairly simple to do, but it's unnerving and beautiful at the same time.

Pictured: My dream home

The acting is impressive as well for a relatively indie feature. Both brother and sister have a fascinating and occasionally uncomfortable dynamic that never feels forced. The script is solid, staying with the period piece vibe without ever sounding hokey. As a bit of a history nerd, I was impressed how well they managed to place the costumes and vaguely-referenced world events to give you the World War I era without dumping exposition on top. The sets are just as lush and lovingly made, with deep forests and possibly one of the most gorgeous crumbling gothic mansions ever filmed. A great deal of this reminded me quite a bit of Guillermo Del Toro's gorgeous CRIMSON PEAK, although much as I loved that movie, I'd say this one is over all a better piece of work. Even with a painful lack of Javier Botet.

The plot is one that may lose people, as it assumes you're both A) fully invested in watching and B) at least somewhat familiar with some of the tropes. It doesn't fully explain everything, but it doesn't really need to in my opinion, as long as you're aware that you're watching a classic gothic tale. There's also an odd undercurrent of sexuality running through the whole film, which may unnerve people but again, was a staple of the Victorian Gothic - which is what made them extremely racy for the era. It remains PG-13 more or less, but some of the implications are extremely disturbing. Similar to the director Brian O'Malley's first film, LET US PREY, this requires you to pay attention and also go into it willing to come along for the ride.

This review's somehow ended up short, because there's only so much I can say without spoiling it and eagerly trying to cram it down everyone's throat. It's not for everyone, but in the crowded ranks of indie horror that went under the radar, this stands out as a beautiful, atmospheric, and eerie entry.

This movie passes the Bechdel Test by the skin of it's teeth, but given that there's maybe five whole characters with speaking roles in the film, that's not shocking.

5 out of 5


This movie is available for streaming on Netflix.