Review of Lake Mungo (2009) by Kelli B — 27 May 2016

Lake Mungo is an eerily hypnotic faux documentary supernatural thriller. A mournful dreamlike examination of a family dealing with grief, this slow burner is not so much as scary as it is spooky.

Lake Mungo tells the story of a family trying to come to terms with the drowning of their daughter, Alice Palmer, and the potentially supernatural events they experience following her death.

Joel Anderson's low budget Australian film is a sophisticated adult tale blending complex compelling emotions and chilling realism of what can happen to humanity in the events of grief and yearning to alter ones past actions.

The authentic performances should be highly commended. Just say if you were to switch this over one night on the television with no prior knowledge of the film, the no name actors convincingly create what could be mistakably a real documentary. The cinematography too should be complimented as it beautifully captures the Australian landscape in a hauntingly atmospheric sense.

Lake Mungo is slow. Really slow. For the occasional horror movie goer, it may test their patience as there is never really any terrifying outcome. For veteran horror fans will appreciate the films slow building twists and turns and be rewarded with what can go down as one of the most creative horror presence reveals ever.

From its effective gripping ghost story premise into a sad exploration of a depressed teen and her secrets, Lake Mungo is genuinely unsettling for its realistic authenticity and chilling imagery.