LAKE BODOM (2016)

Directed by: Taneli Mustonen Written by: Taneli Mustonen & Aleski Hyvarinen Cinematography: Mheiajn Brooks, Daniel Lindholm, Callie Mcgregor & Dakota Saliwi  Editor: Alexis Raij 

Cast: Nelly-Hirst-Gee, Mimosa Williamo, Mikael Gabriel, Santeri Helinheimo mantyu 

Every camper's worst nightmare came true at Lake Bodom in 1960 when four teenagers were stabbed to death while sleeping in their tent.

This is one of those movies that is ok, but there is so much potential for greatness that it possesses except for a few missteps that totally bold it back.

This is a Familiar horror film based on a true story of murders that happened in Finland. Only in the film the location is the same and it doesn’t say this is what happened back then, but the story is modern-day set and might have some ties to that case.

What works here is that the film keeps offering new twists that reshape the material. Some of these twists might feel a little familiar from other films, but it is still used wisely here. In fact, one wishes there were a few more.

The beginning of the film Feels typical and a little dull. Though luckily as the film goes along certain relationships between the characters are explained and how Their pasts intermingle. This more happens as an explanation for certain actions and acts. Though the actions seem like overkill. As does some of the logic of the characters but as this is a horror film. It seems like it is needed to move one element to the other.

The film is 60 percent perfect except for the beginning and the end. The end works in that it becomes a different type of film that foils any plans but then the film becomes the type of film you expected from the beginning which then makes it feel basic and erases all the exciting elements that came before it.

Which also leads to a more ambiguous ending. That the film doesn’t necessarily feel like it deserves or has earned. So that you have a film that tries to show a depth it doesn’t possess. Which is supposed to be similar to the teenage characters within it?

The film will be familiar to those who have seen HIGH TENSION or ALL THE BOYS LOVE  MANDY LANE. Which might be a spoiler itself, but at least here the enjoyment of the film doesn’t hinge on those surprises. Nor does it make you question the plausibility of what has been presented.

The violence isn’t particularly inspired. Nor is the film very gratuitous in it’s action or content.

The film isn’t a total waste. It just falls short of what it could have been. As it is pretty much a slasher with interesting twists and character histories. 

Grade: B-