The Lodge (2019)
The Lodge (2019) is a chilling and psychologically intense horror film that explores grief, isolation, and the lingering trauma of religious extremism—set in a snowbound cabin where reality begins to fracture under the weight of guilt and manipulation.
The story centers on Grace Marshall (Riley Keough), a woman with a dark past as the sole survivor of a cult’s mass suicide. Hoping to bond with her fiancé Richard’s (Richard Armitage) children—Aiden (Jaeden Martell) and Mia (Lia McHugh)—Grace joins them at a remote winter lodge over Christmas. But when Richard leaves for work, strange and terrifying events begin to unfold. The children, still grieving their mother’s (Alicia Silverstone) recent suicide, uncover Grace’s disturbing history and begin to psychologically torment her. As food disappears, power fails, and Grace’s grip on reality weakens, the line between supernatural horror and psychological breakdown becomes increasingly blurred.
Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala (Goodnight Mommy), the film features stark cinematography by Thimios Bakatakis and a haunting score by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans, creating a cold, claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors Grace’s mental descent. With its slow-burn pacing and ambiguous storytelling, The Lodge leans into dread and emotional tension rather than traditional scares.
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019, and released in the U.S. on February 7, 2020 by Neon, The Lodge received generally positive reviews. Critics praised its unsettling tone, eerie visuals, and Riley Keough’s harrowing performance, though some found its bleakness and ambiguity polarizing.
The Lodge stands out as a disturbing meditation on trauma, faith, and the fragility of the human mind. Often compared to Hereditary and The Others, it’s a film that leaves viewers questioning what’s real, what’s imagined, and how far grief can push someone before they break.