Lavender

Lavender is a 2016 Canadian-American psychological horror thriller film directed and co-written by Ed Gass-Donnelly. Ed Gass-Donnelly, known for his work in the realm of suspense and thriller, harnesses all his expertise to deliver a captivating narrative that leaves audiences on the edge of their seat. The film stars renowned Hollywood talents including Abbie Cornish, Dermot Mulroney, and Justin Long, each of whom delivers intense performances that are central to the film's dramatic unfolding.

Abbie Cornish portrays the lead character, Jane, who is a photographer by profession and is struggling to remember her traumatic past. Jane lives a seemingly normal life with her husband, Alan (Diego Klattenhoff), and their daughter, Alice (Lola Flanery), but is haunted by cryptic visions that she can't understand. Jane's idyllic world is shaken when she is involved in a catastrophic car accident that jolts her memory and brings forth glimpses of a past she had forgotten.

Following the accident, Jane starts to experience baffling and increasingly vivid flashbacks of an old, decrepit farmhouse. Thoroughly confused and on the brink of losing her sanity, Jane seeks help from a psychologist, played by Justin Long. He suggests that these flashbacks might be unresolved memories from Jane’s childhood and urges her to unravel the truth. To piece together the fragments of her shattered recollections, Jane is drawn to the house from her visions, a remote place shrouded in mystery and widely believed to be haunted.

Meanwhile, Dermot Mulroney plays the character of Patrick, Jane’s estranged uncle, who suddenly reappears after many years. His unexpected arrival adds another layer of complexity to Jane's journey towards uncovering the truth of her past.

"Lavender" is a chilling exploration of the human mind, its capacity to repress traumatic events, and the complex journey one must undertake to reconcile with their past. Ed Gass-Donnelly skillfully constructs scenes laden with suspense and intrigue, using the themes of memory and identity to drive the narrative further and deeper. The vivid cinematography expertly portrays Jane's unraveling mental state, complementing the film's eerie atmosphere and painting a haunting picture of her past.

Apart from the director's noteworthy storytelling, the film's performances are also commendable. Abbie Cornish does an excellent job of portraying a character thrown into an emotional rollercoaster, entirely unsure of the nature of her reality. Justin Long, reliably steady throughout, provides the voice of reason, guiding Jane through her troubled visions, while Dermot Mulroney adds a tangible sense of suspense with his intense performance.

One of the highlights of "Lavender" is its striking visual style. The film takes full advantage of its rural, hauntingly beautiful settings, capturing brooding skies and the imposing, eerie farmhouse with an almost ethereal quality. These visuals greatly contribute to the pervasive sense of unease that permeates the movie, enhancing the status of the farmhouse as one of the characters of the narrative.

When such compelling performances, atmospheric visual storytelling, and haunting narrative are combined, "Lavender" becomes a riveting psychological thriller. It manages to weave a sense of dread and suspense that keeps viewers captivated from start to finish. This movie is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates intense psychological explorations and suspenseful narrative storytelling in cinema.

Overall, "Lavender" is a tantalizing puzzle, a labyrinth of repressed memories and haunting pasts that keeps audiences intrigued. It's a chilling study of memory, repression, and the terrifying journey one must undertake to unravel past trauma. Accompanied by breathtaking cinematography and spellbinding performances, the exquisite narrative is sure to resonate with audiences long after the screen goes dark. "Lavender" isn't merely a horror-thriller; it's an atmospheric visual experience and a gripping psychological mystery.