The Lady of the Lake: The Legend of Lake Ronkonkoma

This film was a B-grade mix of psychological thriller, drama, and horror that somehow scored really high on the film provider's site. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if those ratings came from Maria Capp's friends and family, considering she's directed nine movies according to IMDb. One was more than enough for me, thanks!

The movie weaves in a legend about Princess Ronkonkoma, the daughter of the chief of the Setauket Sachem Tribe, who fell for a chieftain from a rival tribe. Her dad wasn't having it, and some tales say the couple ended up taking a tragic route like Romeo and Juliet, while others suggest the heartbroken princess took her own life (the director strangly chose the third version). Since then, it's said her spirit has been linked to one drowning each year, with over 160 reported at Lake Ronkonkoma since the mid-1800s.

I'm not here to argue the legend, but those high ratings! That's a different story. "Lady of the Lake" tries to blend coming-of-age themes with horror, all while diving into grief and healing. But honestly, none of those genres hit the mark! The film drags along at a slow pace and skips the flashy moments, which means all those mixed elements just fade away because, let's face it, no one really cared about what was happening while watching it.

The film had beautiful cinematography and camera techniques. My favorite scene was the flashback party by the lake because we got to meet a lot of the characters, and the entire scene was done in one take. One thing I noticed about that was the banner with Jamie and Eric's names. Eric's name was all in orange while Jaime's was in a variety of colors (each letter was a different color). I also loved the sound mixing. It seemed very ominous, which fit the tone of the movie mysteriously. Finally, the main character was very well written. She wanted to do whatever it took to uncover the curse of the lake, including holding another party on the lake, which her father had banned her from doing. This film seems like it's for people who will do anything it takes to get answers they want, no matter the cost.

The Lady of the Lake is a haunting, beautifully shot film that brings the legend of Lake Ronkonkoma to life in an unforgettable way. Even without prior knowledge of the tale, I was completely drawn in by the emotional depth, especially through Seth Gilliam's powerful performance. The cinematography, dreamlike sequences, and authentic locations add a surreal beauty. This film is both a chilling ghost story and a moving exploration of grief and legend. Highly recommended. The Lady of the Lake is a haunting, beautifully shot film that brings the legend of Lake Ronkonkoma to life in an unforgettable way. Even without prior knowledge of the tale, I was completely drawn in by the emotional depth, especially through Seth Gilliam's powerful performance. The cinematography, dreamlike sequences, and authentic locations add a surreal beauty. This film is both a chilling ghost story and a moving exploration of grief and legend. Highly recommended.

As someone who grew up on Long Island I loved seeing our local legends on the big screen. I adored all the outdoor shots, especially the ones at sunset and at night. It feels almost surreal to see locations you've been to in real life on screen. I thought the characters were believable, you can see how different the grieving process is for each one. Some characters are stuck, while others try to find a new normal moving forward. Jamie was one of my favorite characters, and seeing them spending times with their friends, not going out and about but just meeting on the shore or someone's house to hang out, really does bring back memories from when I was a teen.

I personally love the scenery of where the town and the lake itself are filmed. It brings back feelings of nostalgia for small town life and I really love that. I also can tell the younger actors have a good deal of passion for their work. I am a huge fan of Seth Gilliam. He and Julie Dove are my favorite actors in this film. My only critique is I wish the movie had been a little more frightening or even more thrilling but that's just a personal preference. Other than that I thought it very interesting. Especially if you enjoy stories of local legends and folklore. Also the camerawork was excellent.