Blackwater Lane

I'll start by saying I am not a fan of ridiculous Hallmark movies that are silly because they are so unrealistic and the dialogue and acting are reminiscent of day time soaps. The gazes off in the distance, the awkward almost kisses and a LOT of whisper talking.

There's a lot of that in this movie. The main character is written like the typical helpless Hallmark woman. Who is so hurt and weak but also strong and smart but you don't really know that until the end. Is that suppose to be comforting? No, don't worry, she's not as annoying as you think!

I have to say though that the story of is she actually experiencing a mental health crisis or is it ghosts or something else is very compelling and the only reason I watched it until the end. And just like a soap opera, you've got the main character narrating what happened at the end just in case you didn't understand what you just saw. Ugh.

This is a prime example of why women need to be written better in Hollywood. Thank you Geena Davis for doing all you are. We deserve better.

Cass (Minka Kelly) is driving home in a stormy night down the isolated Blackwater Lane. She sees a car parked on the side of the road, but she does not stop for the distressed female driver. The lady is later found murdered. She starts encountering disturbing visions, but her husband Matthew (Dermot Mulroney) insists that it's all in her head. She had suffered mental issues following her mother's death. Rachel (Maggie Grace) is her friend. DC Lawson (Natalie Simpson) is investigating the murder.

First of all, she should never stop in that situation. There is no shame in that. If it's sunny daylight and nobody else is around, then it would be a bit callous. Somehow, these three American actors got stuck in a bland British murder mystery ghost story. The story has only a few possible explanations and I never really cared that much about which one. It does a poor job with one path while it pushes too hard on another path. I am fine with the ultimate reveal, but it's not done well. The last act is a mess.

Combining a Lifetime-esque "weak scared woman in jeopardy" with the "is it supernatural, psychological, or a plot" genre, this is a poorly written, poorly acted, and overly long example of this sub-genre. A woman who-- of course -- has a previous psychiatric admission becomes a quivering mass of jelly and acts in very stupid ways, despite the fact the character is or should be a bright person. But oooh is she having a breakdown? Is there a ghost? Is there someone messing with her? A plot so transparent that if you've seen one of these, you've seen them all. If you have experience with these types of stories, you'll see the ending coming from about 20 minutes in. Painful to watch and a disappointingly obvious ending unless you are just one of those who like this sub-genre.

Blackwater Lane attempts to deliver a suspenseful mystery, centering around a woman who, on her way back to the grand mansion she shares with her husband, witnesses what appears to be a murder. As unsettling events begin to escalate, she grows convinced that she could be the killer's next target. Yet the film keeps the audience questioning the reality of her fears. Her frequent panic attacks, coupled with her husband's repeated denials of what she claims to see, create an atmosphere of uncertainty-though his dismissive behavior itself feels suspicious.

The film introduces several other characters who act irrationally or suspiciously, setting up a classic whodunit. Unfortunately, the story feels too familiar, with a plot we've seen countless times. Its execution lacks the polish needed to elevate the genre, weighed down by logical inconsistencies and flaws that weaken the narrative. Some of the acting also misses the mark, adding to the film's shortcomings.

Ultimately, there's little in Blackwater Lane to make it memorable. It settles into being a below-average mystery thriller with only mild horror elements. [4.7/10]

I gave this four stars because I am a fan of Maggy Grace and Dermot Mulroney. If not for the two of them, it would have been substantially lower. The entire movie is insanely slow and Minka Kelly does NOTHING to help amp it up other than run around and manage to look confused the majority of the film. To say she lacks charisma is a massive understatement. She delivers every line as though she took a Valium and chased it with a Xanax. I knew where the plot was heading fairly early on. I just didn't care. I wasn't worried or concerned for any of the characters, at any time. I think this could have been a fantastic thriller but unfortunately it just doesn't land.