Movie Reviews

[Fantasia ’23] ‘Lovely, Dark, and Deep’ review: One of the best indie horror films of the year

Leave footprints, take memories, kill nothing

July 24, 2023

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the work being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Lovely, Dark, and Deep starts with a pair of quotes that set the stage for the rest of the movie. The first is from John Muir and illustrates the peace and fear of being alone in the forest. The second is a sign left out by a ranger that is simply foreboding. It is the perfect start for a story that never allows the audience to be at ease.

Lennon (Georgina Campbell, Barbarian) has been granted a position as a park ranger at an isolated outpost. Immediately, the woods take over and strange conspiracies and traumatic memories envelop Lennon. The past and the present blend together as the search for closure becomes more terrifying.

The pacing of Lovely, Dark, and Deep is unlike most movies. The script is patient and unafraid to have moments of quiet contemplation. This is no slow burn, however. The plot is constantly pushing forward, introducing new elements and revealing more about Lennon’s past.

The third act adds a frenetic energy in which reality becomes less concrete. This is seen a lot – especially in indie horror – but it is rarely done well. Even when it looks visually striking, it is often confusing and ruins the immersion. This is not the case in Lovely, Dark, and Deep. The intentionally disorienting shots (writer-director Teresa Sutherland uses them throughout the film) pull the audience in. The already captivating mystery takes on a new life as the plot becomes more enticingly confusing.

The camerawork is absolutely beautiful. The forest setting provides for many effortlessly gorgeous shots, but Sutherland (The Wind) does not rely on the natural beauty. Each shot is meticulously crafted to showcase the magnificence and ominous nature of the park. There is an inviting quality, but there is also the feeling that there are secrets that will never be shared.

[Fantasia '23] 'Lovely, Dark, and Deep' review: One of the best indie horror films of the year

Lennon is a great complement. Much like the forest she works in, she is enigmatic and intriguing. Campbell is fantastic as a character that is not quick to provide much personal information yet is still someone audiences can get behind. She is vulnerable while also being headstrong. It is one of the strongest performances of the year.

Lovely, Dark, and Deep keeps anyone watching on the edge of their seat the entire time. A somber and bewildering atmosphere is created in the opening moments and never goes away. It is a frightening look at guilt and resolve that is unafraid to deal in genre tropes. Together with its strong cast and compelling writing, it is one of the best indie horror movies of the year.