Los Horrores de Caddo Lake

I went in knowing nothing and I think it's better if you do so. But it's also difficult to get past the very slow set up. The first 1/4 of the movie, nothing is happening and it feels pretty boring.... and while stuff starts happening at that point, it's only halfway through that the movie really becomes interesting. But when it does, it's so worth it. I understand the build up is essential and necessary for the rest of the movie to work but I still think they could have done it with a better pacing; and if they had managed that, I would probably give this movie an 8/10. And for a movie with no big name actors, they are all doing a great job. Highly recommended!

Rare is the movie that motivates me to see it again right away to understand what I had just watched. Caddo Lake is such a case. In the first viewing, I ended up totally confused, but with some understanding of what was going on from the last part of the movie. So I decided to watch it again an hour later to understand the whole story, and then every scene from the start made sense within the film plot.

The twists and turns of this movie make you pay attention to every detail throughout the hour and a half of its duration, which is not common in movies nowadays. So kudos to the two screenwriters and directors.

I wish more movies were made like this. .I'm also glad I didn't watch any previews. I had know idea what this movie was about. I just knew it had Dylan O'Brien and I like his movies. He always does something different. It was PG-13 and on Max so fee movie night. 75% of the movie I had no idea what was going on and how all of the characters came together. It was written very well so it kept your attention. The acting was very well. This movie definitely makes you think and question things and it is brilliant. Reminds me of 90's thriller movies. It's slow but when it all ties together you will be blown away. It ends perfectly..

Now this may not be a great movie but it's definitely a good one. And once all is revealed highly original. I did guess it before ( after a couple of clues ) I knew the whole story but that didn't ruin the good twists toward the end. Two stories run parallel to each other and both get better and better. As many have said the movie starts of slow and uninteresting. During the first half hour my wife kept asking me what the heck the movie is about but after a couple of plot reveals the story tightens and weaves to come together in the end. O'Brian as always does a good job and is helped by an earnest supporting cast. Pacing also picks up in the second half. As aforementioned stick with it and you should enjoy it as much as we did.

Once you figure out what's going on, the story itself after the fact isn't exactly groundbreaking. However, the way they pull it off is pretty impressive. I don't think people consider enough the degree of coordination that's required to apply pacing and tone in any given film, especially when you throw in special effects and lighting potentially dependent on time of day. This movie does all of it pretty flawlessly, and creates an almost tactile momentum that carries you through. While I wasn't surprised it ended when it did, not once was I looking for it or had it in mind until it was over. That's usually a clear mark of competence for storytelling. The final scene did feel a bit empty, though, for reasons I can't quite explain. Maybe a clearer angle of a final, knowing look from Celeste would have remedied this, but that's just a stray thought, not genuine criticism.

Acting was spot on for everyone involved. Dylan O'Brien is something of a standout. I've seen his work before but this one really let him shine. Lauren Ambrose also completely sells the manic/distressed persona and just became this person. Eliza Scanlen not once failed to sell me what was happening on-screen. Talents like these make it so much easier to lose yourself in whatever is being shown and it's always appreciated.

Great watch. Adept filmmakers on display and I'm here for it.