The Lady of the Lake: The Legend of Lake Ronkonkoma

Watching from across the country in Los Angeles, learning about this actual legend of Lake Ronkonkoma was an incredibly exciting experience. The small town full of culture and character, with its gorgeous scenery and natives, are all beautifully captured to help viewers understand the history and tight-knit community behind Ronkonkoma.

I was particularly drawn to the music and sound design that allowed for an intensely eerie setting. I definitely felt that I was being watched by the lady of the lake from my own room (and might have even looked over my shoulders a few times while watching).

These intense moments were softened, though, with light-hearted ones sandwiched in between. Following the event of a tragic loss, this film reminds viewers that platonic, familial, and romantic love/support can help individuals through periods of grief.

This film is a must-watch in many circumstances, as the story contains elements bound to appeal to any viewer: history, horror, diversity, romance, comedy, and themes of family. Watch and enjoy with loved ones, or alone (if you dare)!

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.

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.

As a local, I was curious to watch this movie. I should've stayed curious. I really wanted to like this, I was rooting for it. But wow....

HOW did Seth Gilliam agree to do this??? I'm actually stumped. He's not an unknown actor with no credits.

I've been in pretty bad movies myself as a local actor, but this is by far the worst movie I've ever seen. I've seen high school projects that are better than this. Between the acting, the dialogue, the writing, the music... it's all so unnatural and so cheesy, so bad, that it feels awkward to even watch. I'm actually embarrassed for them.

I will say- there are a couple scenes that aren't as bad, and some interesting camerawork, but overall it's just not good. E for Effort?

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.