Lovely, Dark, and Deep (2023) User Reviews

An underwhelming if still somewhat watchable genre effort

[kannibalcorpsegrinder · 5/10 · 23 February 2024]

Hoping to overcome a personal tragedy, a woman treks into the wilderness under the guise of a new ranger's job which allows her to look into the past tragedy that has haunted her only to come face to face with the unwanted source of the hauntings and must battle her sanity to escape the area.

This was a decent enough if overall underwhelming genre effort. Among its few positive features here is the general sense of isolation and atmospherics that are present within here. A vast majority of the first half is spent in the confines of the forest and the wonderful use of atmospherics only enhances that with the idea of the forest being alive and toying with her which is somewhat unnerving. Enhanced incredibly well with the given backstory about her past history and the connection she has with the missing ranger friend that spurns her into going along with the trip, this gets the film off to a solid start as the motivation to get there offers quite an impressive factor to get to the surroundings around her. As it gradually dawns on her that the more she's around the forest the more she questions what she's seeing and believing, the madness that develops here as the psychological effects take centerstage manages to be the big crowning achievement in the film. As this gives way to the further connection between the events taking place and the past encounter that initially drew her to the area, this starts to take a far greater and more atmospheric turn as the inability to determine what's going on is a strong one. Taking the chance to incorporate a slew of psychological clues and disturbnances that take place to upset her, there's a lot of unnerving work throughout here as the inability to distinguish from her past hallucinations, repressed memories, or having something legitimately taking place during the stay. As these lead to further revelations about everything and what's really going on within the film, the truth being revealed the way it does is quite fun with how it comes together into a shocking mystery as to how it takes place which also utilizes the fine reveal for a lot to like here. Other than this, though, there's not a whole lot to the film as a whole. So much of this is reliant on the idea of the creepiness of the woods and the unnatural setting that's really only a normal enough forest that there's not a whole lot of action to be had here. The main part of the film which is wholly enjoyable due to the effectiveness of this build-up about her growing uncertainty with regard to what happened to her yet this is all generally dull and uneventful with how it's handled especially for those looking for something beyond just fleeting glimpses of shadows or objects in the distance. As a result, the focus on getting the type of chilling genre content usually featured here is kept to a minimum as the psychological leanings are far more featured which becomes a major stumbling block that holds this one back.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.

Absolteky atrocious. One of the worst films I've seen this year.

[manuelasaez · 4/10 · 24 February 2024]

Where do I even begin with this mess of a movie? There is so much that was poorly done about, I don't even know where I should start. It's like someone took an interesting premise, someone else wrote the most boring story surrounding it, and then you had someone completely different write the script. Disjointed, all-over-the-place storytelling that left you with more questions than you started off with, and that is never a compliment.

The first inclination that this was going to be a bad film was that it took almost 40 minutes before anything of note transpired. The initial 40 were spent with the lead wandering the woods, making her rounds as a park ranger, while also looking for someone. When the movie does get going, it's at a snails pace. I'm not joking when I say that for every minute something even remotely interesting is happening, there are 20 minutes of nonsense. Drone flying over the woods, the woods creeping upside down, trees, more woods, trees, trees, trees. That's the gist of this movie. It was almost like an advertisement for the National Parks, and this movie is probably less exciting than a ranger training video.

It's a movie that, the more you watched, the more you could tell that it didn't really have a firm direction to begin with. It was like a movie made by various people who didn't share their part of the story until the end, and the movie suffered greatly because of it. The last half hour I watched on 8X speed because I just couldn't be bothered to give this movie any more of my time.

I'm starting to notice a trend in these modern Hollywood horror films; every time a horror movies showcases any signs of D. E. I it's been awful, and you can throw this one right in the pile. It looks like the focus is on superficial elements that are more important than telling a decent story that people might actually enjoy, and that in itself is a real travesty of modern day Hollywood. I'm so glad that movies in the rest of the world aren't adhering to that nonsense. Hollywood really isn't worth the time or energy if they keep pumping out crap like this.

A total and complete waste of time. Please, for the love of all that is decent and pure, listen to me; your time is much to precious to spend it watching movies like these. Avoid this movie at all costs. It's just not good by any metric you throw at it.

Great premise, disappointing turn

[aivilovee · 4/10 · 26 February 2024]

This movie seemed really promising initially. A Ranger getting wrapped up in a missing person's case with her own missing loved one in her past? Sign me up.

But it didn't go that route. Without spoiling too much, it decided to go a trippy, metaphorical route without establishing enough about this character and her own memories. It was just a scape of meaningless hallucinations for most of the movie. That kind of thing only works if there's a reality check often enough that we get scared questioning what's real and what's not. Instead, I was wondering when the unreal stuff was going to finally end.

The ending was incredibly disappointing and overall mid. If you ask me, not worth the runtime. Watch The Ritual instead if you want spooky woods with a paranormal twist about grief.

Not Lovely, Dark, or Deep

[donloristo · 1/10 · 24 February 2024]

You ever watch a movie and wonder why it was made? For me this was one of those movies.

The (non)mystery of the movie is: why are so many people going missing in these national parks?

I should've known beforehand that any answer probably would've been unsatisfying. But then at the end of the movie you find they don't even give you an answer! It didn't leave me creeped out, just extremely frustrated.

When the forest/beings make the main character lose her mind, I wasn't convinced, just bored and scratching my head. Why does the forest need sacrifices? I still don't know, and that isn't a good thing.

If you like your horror dark and deep, I'd pass on this one.

I want my money back.....

[damaincreible516 · 2/10 · 24 February 2024]

As a someone who is absolutely fascinated by the Missing 411 phenomena, who lives in the middle of the woods and lives hiking, AND who lives horror, I was truly waiting for something like this to come along. I've been following these stories for over a decade, wondering if anyone would take the generalized meat of the basic scenarios surrounding these unfortunate situations and make a compelling story/argument from what is happening to the people that go missing in the woods near water and boulder fields. But this? This was literally just a steaming heap of anxiety and confusion, that occasionally lays out some of the facts from these events and instead of ANY reason why, simply says....... Iunno.....

That's it.

They put ZERO creativity behind what it could be. None.

She literally just runs in the woods, and once she's in the other side-- which wasn't abundantly clear, unless you're familiar with the lore of people lost in the woods-- briefly, she has hallucinations that vaguely go into the backstory of what possibly happened with her parents she won't talk about. The only real slight gore is there, where I'm assuming her dad (he's never clear previously) stand himself in the chest. So, don't go into this looking for the horror elements to be gore since they aren't supernatural, either.

They state many of the facts, casually, from one character or flashback or another, and just, never explored who, what, where, whey-- NOTHING.

It was AWFUL. For ANYONE who knows ANYTHING about ANY of this, it was an absolute JOKE. And for anyone who loves mystery horror, and maybe doesn't know this story, it's STILL awful. They had more buildup and terror in the scenes that they showed in the preview-- HALF of which weren't even in the movie! Which is another thing I despise.

UGH..... I am so disappointed. I haven't been this dissatisfied in so long.

Frustrating, confusing, and nonsensical

[FrederickThornborrow · 2/10 · 22 March 2024]

What a frustrating film.

It seems to start with a decent premise, a woman becoming a park ranger to go to, and search, the park in which her sister went missing when they were kids. The protagonist in search of answers, certain something far more sinister took place than the authorities explanation.

But the film plods along somewhat aimlessly, before culminating in a puzzling journey of self-pity, grief and past events that may or may not have occurred. Lennon has to decide, will she do what she's being asked or will she refuse and sacrifice herself instead?

Well, as it turns out, she does neither.

Lennon is freed from her predicament by someone else who makes the sacrifice for her and she then decides to help the evil malevolent forces that took her sister and attempted to take her.

Why? Well, who knows. Her journey ends by finding no answers and becoming a willingly complicit party to aiding more mysterious disappearances.

Nightmarish and disorienting (in a good way)

[JK-WhatsUpWeirdoPodcast · 7/10 · 20 February 2024]

Gorgeous directing and cinematography, and Georgina Campbell was great as always. Definitely an atmospheric slowwww burn, I do wish it went a little more insane when it started to turn, would've been more of a payoff for the wait, but they still pulled off some neat stuff. The climbing thing was perfect, so so creepy. This would be a good one for those who prefer suspense/true crime over heavy gore. Nice short 87 minute runtime too so it's not a huge commitment and it definitely keeps you interested. Very promising stuff from a first time director, would be glad to watch whatever comes next :) Also "I owe this land a body" is just the creepiest thing ever so specific props on that.

Ponderous

[billcr12 · 2/10 · 12 March 2024]

Georgina Campbell plays a park ranger who joins a flock of fellow officers to work in search and rescue operations.

A series of endless flashbacks show her as a little girl who saw her sister vanish without a trace. Thus, we have an explanation of her career choice.

At least the fashion budget was minimal as Ms. Campbell spends the entire film in a ranger's outfit.

She lives mostly in some sort of a one room cabin in the woods and heads out into the forest repeatedly in search of the lost, which includes her sister.

I was checking my clock every few minutes as I was bored to tears by the nonsensical story and I cannot recommend this movie.

Surprisingly good...

[paul_haakonsen · 7/10 · 5 March 2024]

When I sat down to watch this 2023 movie from writer and director Teresa Sutherland, I had never heard about the movie, so I didn't know what I was in for. But the movie's cover and title seemed interesting enough, plus the fact that it was a horror movie that I hadn't already seen, then of course I opted to sit down and give "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" a chance.

And I am glad that I did, because this movie was entertaining. Sure, I didn't fully grasp the concept of what was going on, with the 'taking' and 'them' that the rangers talked about throughout the movie. But what made the movie enjoyable to me was the acting performances, the events that took place and the way that the movie was shot. It was a rather interesting movie and it definitely had some very unique and bizare visuals, which I definitely enjoyed.

As for the narrative, well I enjoyed the story, though I have to admit that I was at a loss as to what the purpose really was of the disappearances and the mentioning of 'them' and such. But the movie proved very enjoyable nonetheless.

I was not familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, and that is something I do enjoy when I sit down to watch a movie. It is particularly enjoyable to see new talents and faces on the screen, especially when they are as talented as Georgina Campbell (the leading actress, playing Lennon) was in this movie. Her performance as Lennon was phenomenal, and she carried the movie with grace.

Visually then writer and director Teresa Sutherland put together quite a movie. There are so many great visual scenes throughout the course of the movie, and they add so much flavor to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

"Lovely, Dark, and Deep" is a movie that I definitely recommend you to sit down and watch.

My rating of "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" lands on a seven out of ten stars.

An idea is not a story

[birgirfinnsson · 3/10 · 29 March 2024]

A successful narrative film needs a story and a script to get that story across: a story with engaging characters and elements of the traditional three act structure (setup, confrontation, resolution) to justify the audience involvement.

It isn't enough to just have an idea ("What if ..." or "How about ...") and base a whole film on that. If time and care is not spent on expanding the idea into a story, then the whole thing will feel drawn-out, pointless and unsatisfying.

Alas, this is what seems to have happened here. Someone had a neat idea ("What about a park ranger that is looking into why people are vanishing in their thousands in America's national parks?") but instead of using that as a jump-off point for the story, decided that this idea was enough for a full-length film, padded with endless and repetitious "dream logic" scenes and attempts at foreboding atmospherics that ultimately fall flat and go nowhere.

The result is in the end a forgettable bore, since there are no surprises, no resolution, no twists, nothing to reward the viewer for spending an hour and a half in these woods. A pity, since the idea holds within it the kernel of a promising story. Three stars for some pretty cinematography and a committed lead performance, but if all you have is an idea but no story, then no matter how good your actors, they will not be able to salvage your film.

Ignore the haters

[smithgeorgina-56496 · 8/10 · 30 March 2024]

This won't terrify you, but it's a great delve into grief, nature and survival. There's great atmosphere that builds throughout and is a wonderful tale of sacrifice. It is a slow build, but not slow enough you're waiting for the end. I do recommend this, as an avid horror fan, it's not overly gory so a good starting movie for those looking to expand from the mainstream. It's an exciting story that unfolds naturally and the lead is wonderfully merciful and strong. A good female lead that does what needs to be done and doesn't fear anything, as she has already faced her worse fear. Give it a watch, it's a sad and well told tale.

This is like Yellowstone Narional Park horror film in the present day

[kmkevinn-64733 · 6/10 · 24 February 2024]

The cinematography was widely shot well, twisty screenplay and deft direction from Teresa Sutherland make for an unsettling nightmare that will follow you to bedtime for children under 12. I did enjoyed the score because it was level higher pitch to a +2 instead of a normal score pitch tone. This is a well-written and well-acted atmospheric haunting. This is a slow burn horror film of this year and don't think too complicated about these perspectives. Critics is wopping 87% is the highest level and yes there should be at least one scare that entertaining me but for the most part, this is done well. "The film's extended second act features a surreal journey through the past and the mind. Existential horror at its most impressionistic, Lovely, Dark, and Deep adopts some truly disturbing visuals, which happen to also be where some of the film's most glaring problems arise. While audiences will inevitably be divided by the film's languid pace, unrealized ambiguity and bottleneck feel, fans of horror that requires patience and empathy will undoubtedly enjoy the sombre mysteries of Lovely, Dark, and Deep - a film well worth getting lost in (MARKO DJURDJIC 2024)".

Underwhelming rather clichéd horror.

[dweston-38669 · 25 February 2024]

Echoes of the excellent 'Carnival of Souls' and the nifty but underrated 'Yellow Brick Road' permulate throughtout this outdoors expressionist horror about a female ranger going mad in a forest.

The set up is overly familiar with too much emphasis on her mind unravelling with walking through a twilight world of things unseen then seen, calls in the night, ghostly figures, shattered memories, redundant walkie talkies etc.

The similar 'woman going mad in the woods' Outpost did this rather better , with better acting; nonetheless at 82mins it's short enough too tell its story and end without padding out.

Terri-Bad

[wnkmmg · 2/10 · 3 April 2024]

If you like movies where the writers are lazy and just create a dream world in the main characters head, then this might be for you. It's a character film. But throughout the movie, you will not feel anything for the main character because she hasn't been fleshed out at all.

You don't really know anything about the character. You don't really care what happens to her.

You don't really know what's going on inside her head.

The only thing you know is that the movie drags and is really slow.

Like I said, super lazy film. Random Gore here and there for no apparent reason. Absolutely dreadful.

On a positive I did like the actress. If it wasn't for her, it would've been one star rather than two. I hope she finds better roles in the future.

[2.6] So bad that it's depressingly sad

[cjonesas · 3/10 · 30 March 2024]

A new low has been reached in the horror genre and that is 'Lovely, Dark and Deep'. It doesn't even deserve exclamation points cause it's completely pointless and complete trash.

The story by itself is atrocious, tag it as horror is just plain craziness and even if it were written under the influence of drugs and psychedelic substances, the outcome wouldn't have been worse and even better.

So sad that these wannabe writers and directors just waste money and resources and even sadder that studios are convinced and accept production of such nonsense.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 2
• Production value/impact: 1
• Development: 3.5
• Realism: 2
• Entertainment: 2
• Acting: 4
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 6.5
• VFX: 4
• Music/score/sound: 3.5
• Depth: 2.5
• Logic: 0.5
• Flow: 2
• Horror: 0.5
• Ending: 2.

Gave me a headache.

[Otkon · 4/10 · 2 March 2024]

And I guess it's about the woods. Therefore there is minuscule relevance for cheaply robbing its title from the Robert Frost poem.

But there is nothing "lovely" about this movie. It goes for obscure and abstract very early by setting up that the main character might have mental issues. The movie then relies on this exposition to fiddle with what may or may not be real - with lots of trippy visuals and altered audio. And that is the part that will induce vein-throbbing in people who hate this type of cheap plot convention in their horror-based cinema. If I want to watch Fear and Loathing, I'll watch Fear and Loathing.

Also, it purports to be set in the National Park system of the United States of America but has a 100% European feel to it. I don't like pointless deception.

The reveal of what might be going on is a ho-hum snore of any number of lesser X-Files twists . So no, it's not every "deep".

Overall, the movie is more annoying than entertaining. But there are a few scenes at night. I guess that partially justifies the "dark" aspect.

The uniforms and the duct-taped ranger sign things were okay. Otherwise, no.

Boring uneventful snoozefest

[desdemario · 1/10 · 20 April 2024]

The majority of the movie is a dream sequence that attempts to be scary but isn't because it's obvious none of it is real and all in her head. I see so much praise about the nature in the movie, but you will not see a single animal in this film that takes place in the middle of the wilderness! Nothing natural about that.

And when a character asks the question "what are they?" And the movie responds with "who knows" MY respons is "well then, who gives a f@#k!"

But overall the movie is just plain BORING. You will actually have a better time wandering lost in the woods for a hour and a half. If you take a handfull of shrooms beforehand, you will have literally lived this movie.

Ok, but potential for much more

[PedroPires90 · 6/10 · 16 September 2023]

• Beautiful landscapes. Portugal, of course.

• Georgina Campbell is a good actress and can carry a movie on her own. It's easy to believe in what the character is feeling.

• The feeling of isolation in the park is very well conveyed to the audience.

• Excellent production values. Good cinematography and effective use of ambient sound to create tension.

• There are a couple of good moment, but I didn't feel like the tension reached the intended levels. Perhaps it was due to the audience around me, which rarely allowed me to concentrate.

• The film loses a lot when it delves into the "unreal," becoming a bit tiresome.

• Okay... but why would any ranger want to work and live there after knowing everything? I don't consider the ending sufficiently satisfying.

Headed for disappointed

[mickeygirl-96452 · 2/10 · 4 March 2024]

The trailer on this movie was excellent. The delivery of this movie sucked. Hours I can't get back. None of the actors were familiar and they still not familiar. Don't waste your time on this movie. They wasted my time with movie. They tried to get into your mind but the execution of this movie still sucked. This is no M night Shyamalan and you failed. Who made this movie who made it to that is not their calling. Didn't understand the ending of the movie. The movie left you hanging with many horror movies I've ever seen in my life. Movies these movies as far as what a horror movie should be or whatever but they're missing a point of the audience and some of the audience you know they were just like simple horror you know nothing you know to wear it doesn't make sense in some of the world doesn't make sense. This movie is not a horror movie, it's just dumb.

A fever dream in the wilderness

[aronharde · 5/10 · 4 May 2024]

In 2023's "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" we are introduced to Lennon, a new back country ranger who is traveling through the wilderness hoping to uncover something from her past. The movie has some great shots of nature and there's a mystical feeling about the woods she is patrolling. She also meets another ranger and a lost woman in the woods. But for some reason the other Rangers don't seem to be pleased about her finding that woman and tell her to go home. The movie is much more complex and sadly that gets confusing quite fast. It felt like a fever dream with lots of unsettling noises and unique shots. The end result felt a little unfinished and the movie leaves too many unanswered questions. It's an overall decent watch but definitely won't suit everybody. [4,9/10]

An Inspiring Directorial Debut

[JackCowart34 · 8/10 · 16 March 2024]

One sentence summary: A woman returns to the national park that tormented her childhood to accept a position as a backcountry ranger.

Lovely, Dark, and Deep isn't a movie that should be viewed with a entirely literal mindset, instead it is one of the rare films that allows the audience to draw their own conclusions as to the meaning of the story. My thematic understanding was that tragedy often leaves one feeling isolated, but dwelling in your past only leads to anguish, terror, and self-doubt. Teresa Sutherland's directorial debut falls securely under the arthouse umbrella. However, the movie's heart, combined with its beautiful visuals and a stunning turn from Georgina Campbell, should give everyone something to enjoy. Although I recognize that this genre isn't some people's cup of tea, sometimes the emotion a film elicits should supersede a total understanding of the material.

Authentic to actual Missing 411 cases

[lightningskydrafting · 8/10 · 4 March 2024]

I watched this movie last night. It may not make a lot of sense to the casual viewer but to anyone who read or listened to David Paulides books/podcast (a former detective who studies missing 411 cases in natural parks) the film does a good job at capturing details of actual Missing 411 cases.

The scary part of this movie is not the drama or a big bad, its that what this film is describing comes from REAL casework and REAL missing people. Overall, it is unsettling and it leads the viewer to the same conclusion.

Whatever is taking people in our national parks, takes them at will, the national parks service, does nothing about it and ignores it.

Need more like this

[gillberryfan · 10/10 · 14 March 2024]

This is an amazingly shot, acted, and written movie. I have been interested in the missing 411 cases, and the phenomenon of missing people in National Parks, this movie perfect imo. It doesn't give anything away and it's so atmospheric without being too "artsy" I would highly recommend this. The story is not too far fetched the ending is perfect, this is a great example of great storytelling over CGI or rebooting, the only disappointing thing is this movie didn't get a larger release, I would love to see more films like this getting the attention they deserve. Every single thing in this movie gives me hope lol the locations direction action art department everyone did a fantastic job.