Little Bone Lodge (2023)

My quick rating - 5.7/10. New horror flick, so I want to check it out right away since that is what I do. This one is right on that line between horror and thriller. This film tells the tale of two brothers, criminal siblings, one critically wounded, on the run seeking refuge in an isolated and eerie farmhouse during a vicious storm. What starts off as a search for shelter rapidly develops into a thrilling tale of dark secrets and high tension. The strength of this flick lies in its well-crafted plot and excellent performances by its cast. With a tightly written script, the action keeps you on the edge of your seat as unexpected twists and turns unfold. Some plot revelations do not entirely surprise seasoned thriller enthusiasts, but the relentless pacing and atmosphere of dread created by this film compensate.

It's a cast that brings depth to their characters, front-lined by Joely Richardson playing Mama. As the thieving brothers, Neil Linpow and Cameron Jack, put in great performances, and their characters come off menacingly well, making them great, unpredictable villains. The resident family members, however, incite curiosity as the movie slowly unwraps layers of mystery behind them. A sense of uneasiness promotes tension throughout the film, with the help of an isolated farmhouse and a relentless storm outside. The tension keeps ratcheting up as characters' true motives are slowly unraveled, and suspicion fills the air in the lodge.

To the credit of director Matthias Hoene, by keeping the suspense tight, he manages to keep us fully invested and on the edge. In so many ways, this reminded me of a Hitchcockian kind of flick. This flix ability to keep audiences guessing and questioning the motives of every character would have the master of suspense himself proud. Interwoven trust and deceit, combined with the uncertainty of who does and doesn't survive the night, evoke a more classic vibe in this psychological thriller. While the film at times takes leading dives into more common thriller tropes, it redeems the action with its keen execution and, more importantly, absorbing storytelling. There are moments when it feels almost like familiar ground being tread in circles, but the movie stamps its own signature on the genre for an experience both familiar and new at once.

In conclusion, Little Bone Lodge is an interesting and captivating thriller as it provides an experience bordering on nail-biting. With a very well-constructed script, great performances, and a paranoid atmosphere, the movie succeeds in keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If you're a fan of tense, suspenseful films with a touch of classic Hitchcock, this one's not to be missed.

Justwatch has Tubi under the title "The Last Exit"

Little Bone Lodge (2023)

#horror #jackmeatsflix #IMDB #Plex