The Lodgers

Well the synopsis of this sounded great, it sounded interesting and intriguing. Sadly, they then decided to make the film, and what sounds good in type sadly failed to translate into action. It's a lovely big house, nice quaint setting, seems authentically period in dress and mood and then the story starts and it all goes to pieces which is a real shame as this could have potentially been a good film had they made it half as good as the written synopsis. The pacing was so slow that it finished third in a two horse race, there simply wasn't enough story to beef it up and at times it just seemed lost in a vortex of nothingness. It took so long to get to the punchline that honestly, by the time it got there i'd forgotten the build up and didn't really care what the punchline would be. It was beautifully shot, atmospheric shadows and lighting throughout, nice use of angles and perspective and for the material they were dealt, the cast done a not bad job of carrying it out but it just seemed like it was trying too hard to be a 'feels' filled film with a hint of horror and mystery thrown in but the story was so bland that any hint of mystery was lost, it just didn't intrigue the way it obviously wanted to. No doubt we'll have some 'Luvvies' drooling over this, calling it 'genre defining' or some such nonsense but in reality it just isn't and I for one am quite disappointed at that fact.

I love horror, expecially when it comes to gothic, somber and victorian period horrors. Sadly The Lodgers Is one of those type of films that you Wish It was way way better. I'm gonna make a comparision on what level this film is, for me its obvious just at looking at the poster. a half ok horror movie to watch. with maybe some great scenes or decor in there somewhere. what to expect here Is easy if you make a comparison. for the ones that never watch horror. without spoiling anything It doesn't come close to The vvitch, the others, jane eyre, agnus dei, in gothic power. It doesn't even come close to lower grade gothic movies of late "the countess, the awakening, woman in black etc. If you seen emilie clarkes voices from the stone, or asylum with kate beckinsale. Its more on that level. And no wrong in that, Its all about if they can build atmosphere and tension and create something unique and The strongest thing In The Lodgers Is it's unique location. There is much to love here, from the small shops, to the house itself. But the film never really takes off.. It could be great If they didn't made the film so bbc safe. Theres no frights or jumpscares to be found here at all. The incredibly cheezy cgi effects dragging it down. when clearly the movie had won horselenghts on having practical effects all the way. SO! I really wish it was better. It played out much better in my head. They should have been more dark and twisted, more feral in the making of the movie. Like I said,, Its a great build-up leading nowhere really. I wanted to like the movie really..

I was one of the lucky few that got to snag a ticket for this film at TIFF and boy, was I happy for it. It's a beautiful film, truly. I was absolutely captivated by its beauty from the direction to the writing to the acting (Charlotte Vega in particular was astounding in her role - certainly one to watch!). Reminiscent of The Others, with a more haunting, romantic tone - I loved it!!

As the title of this review states, the film had several things going for it. The location was amazing, the acting very good and the atmosphere that the film created was very effective. However, in terms of story and horror the film just did not deliver. It never lifted itself to reach any satisfying level after the promising start. The mythology it eventually revealed was stupid. Boring. I am very forgiving of horror films and I so much wanted to love this after the first few minutes drew me in. But it was unlovable.

This film was interesting to say the least. The acting is good, Had a few creepy moments. I was really hoping for more of a story line, it left much to be desired in the end. All in all not great, but not bad either. Just a solid meh

In the bonus track of the DVD of "The Lodgers," the filmmakers describe their aim to make a "Gothic ghost story." But the film was no more than a standard "haunted house" film with an unseamly and unpleasant premise. A fraternal pair of twins reside in a large, dilapidated mansion. The film unfolds on the day of their eighteenth birthday. But instead of a celebration, the twins face a multi-generational curse as they have come of age. Their parents, grandparents, and ancestors are destined to be untied in incest, then die by drowning in a nearby lake. Lovely! This bizarre and sordid drama is filled not with surprises and plot twists, but with an unending string of disgusting moments in the cursed relationship of David and Rachel, brother and sister. The irony of the making of this film is that there was some obvious talent at work behind the camera. Especially in the exterior scenes in the forest and around the lake, the photography was stunning. There was also an able cast with the most interesting character a wounded World War I veteran, who is attracted to Rachel and seeks to rescue her from her physical and psychological imprisonment in the mansion. An opportunity was missed to develop the theme that Sean, the soldier who lost a leg in The Great War, attempts at one moment to convey to Rachel: the horrors of the outside world during that cataclysm of World War I are much worse than the issues she is dealing with in her ghosts from the past. It is most unfortunate that the filmmakers could not have worked closer to their goal of realizing a Gothic horror film. That genre often includes a tongue-in-cheek tone with a sly sense of humor. Even Jane Austen borrowed from the playful side of the Gothic stories in one of her novels. Instead, "The Lodgers" takes itself far too seriously. And the result is a nauseating experience for the viewer.

In Ireland, in the 20´s, the twins Rachel (Charlotte Vega) and Edward (Bill Milner) live in a dilapidated manor in the estate that belongs to their family. They believe the place is haunted and follow three rules of survival: they must be in bed by midnight; they may not allow a stranger to cross the threshold; and they must stay together. When they are eighteen, their tutor and lawyer Bermingham (David Bradley) advises that they must sell the real estate since their trust fund is exhausted but Edward is reluctant to leave the property. When Rachel is flirted by the handicapped soldier Sean (Eugene Simon) that returned from the war to his family house at the nearby village, she feels a great attraction and breaks the rules imposed by The Lodgers with tragic consequences. "The Lodgers" is a melancholic Irish ghost story with a wonderful cinematography. The non-commercial story has ambiguous interpretation until the conclusion when the truth about the place and the twins is disclosed. The plot is developed at a slow pace and has no gore, and maybe this is the reason to have negative reviews. However it is worthwhile watching by fans of ghost stories. My vote is six. Title (Brazil): Not Available

The movie started well and I love Irish films so I was game for this one. Unfortunately, the movie didn't explain anything to us viewers about why the curse, why their own kin was waiting to kill them if they didn't obey the rules and literally forced the viewer to guess what the plot was not good!

Gothic apparently equals dull in the minds of the filmmakers who created this yawner. Blah blah blah Ireland. Blah blah blah Ghosts Blah blah blah Something happens. Unfortunately for the viewer that something is 85 minutes after you stopped caring. Could have been a lot better if it had been a lot faster paced and scarier. It isn't and it wasn't.

There are not a lot of movies like this. If you are a fan of gothic culture and supernatural, this one is for you. Beautifully shot in a real haunted house called Loftus Hall, which was build over 666 years ago. The movie is set in 1920's Ireland, where the house actually resides. If you are looking for monsters and scares, this is not that kind of film. It is more artistic and involve a young woman fighting for her freedom from family curse / tradition.