Lake Alice

Lake Alice is a thrilling horror movie released in 2018, featuring Brando Eaton, Peter O'Brien, and Michael Shamus Wiles in pivotal roles. The film is directed by Ben Milliken, who expertly crafts an atmospheric setting that is both suspenseful and eerie, while the screenplay is written by Stevie Jane Miller, who sketches captivating characters that invoke a blend of fear, empathy, and intrigue.

The plot focuses on the Thomas family. Their patriarch, Brad Thomas, played by Peter O'Brien, insists on spending their first Christmas away from the bustling, familiar environs of sunny California. He takes his wife Jane (Laura Niemi), his magazine editor daughter Sarah (Caroline Tudor), and her beau Ryan Emerson (Brando Eaton) to their new, quaint, and seemingly idyllic holiday cabin in Lake Alice, Wisconsin. This scenic, remote wilderness location forms a stark contrast to their usual holiday setting, setting the stage for the unsettling tension that follows.

Brando Eaton plays the role of Ryan, Sarah's boyfriend who is meeting her parents for the first time, making the stakes even higher and ratcheting up the awkward energy. O'Brien is flawless as the overprotective father, while Niemi perfectly portrays a mother concerned for her family's safety. These relatable and tangible characters bring depth to the narrative, making it more than just another horror flick.

As holiday celebrations start in the snow-clad, picturesque landscapes of Lake Alice, things take an unnerving turn. The family soon realizes they are not alone, and their tranquil holiday retreat hosts unexpected and ominous guests. While the identity of these uninvited visitors initially remains a mystery, it soon becomes clear that their intentions are far from friendly, creating a chilling and intense atmosphere.

The Thomas family's strength and unity are put to the ultimate test, as they struggle to survive in the face of these bizarre and unrelenting threats. As they navigate the harsh, snowy terrain and try to unravel the puzzle of their terrifying visitors, the film cleverly leaves audiences on a knife's edge, chock full of suspense and dread.

Lake Alice is a slow-burning horror film that masterfully conjures an atmosphere of mounting tension using chilling, mystifying silences interspersed with sudden bursts of chaos. It embraces some of the classic elements of the survival horror trope and, at the same time, introduces novel narrative features. As a result, Lake Alice boldly pulls out all the stops when it comes to depicting an arguably all too common fear of isolation in an unfamiliar environment.

The cinematography is a standout and adds another layer of complexity to the story. The beautiful yet desolate vistas of Lake Alice in winter's peak are presented with such brutal harshness that the setting itself almost becomes another antagonist for the Thomas family. This, along with an intensifying score by David Liz, effectively maintains the dread-filled atmosphere essential to this genre.

On the whole, Lake Alice is not just a typical horror film; it cleverly plays on human fears of helplessness and isolation. While it has its share of jump scares and nail-biting moments, the film cleverly uses its setting, characters, and script to construct a looming, claustrophobic dread that lingers even after the credits roll. One to watch for those who love their horror served ice-cold and suspenseful.