Plot – Follows a troubled young woman returning to her hometown of Niagara Falls, where the memory of a long-ago kidnapping quickly ensnares her – Disappearance at Clifton Hill.
Director – Albert Shin
Starring – Tuppence Middleton, Hannah Gross, Marie-Josée Croze
Genre – Mystery | Thriller | Drama
Released – 2019
Set on the Canadian side of the picturesque Niagara Falls. Disappearance at Clifton Hill benefits from an intriguing trailer that prompted me to take a chance on this ambitious independent small-town mystery/thriller, which boasts a complex female protagonist, a plot filled with twists, and just enough uniqueness to make it a worthwhile watch.
The result is a decent film that tries its hardest to be neo-noir in the mould of Fargo, in which everyone has something to hide, the only issue being that the overall story is pretty formulaic and how the plot progresses, including when the twists take place is rather predictable, to say the least.
The film’s major drawing point is the beautiful cinematography and the wonderful Niagara Falls backdrop, which made me wonder why other filmmakers don’t use this location more. The cast too does a good job considering their relative inexperience, with Tuppence Middleton (The Imitation Game) as the principal character Abbie, the most accomplished of the group.
David Cronenberg and Tuppence Middleton in Clifton Hill (2019) 
Tuppence Middleton in Clifton Hill (2019) 
Hannah Gross in Clifton Hill (2019)
The movie’s fundamental flaw is its failure to create the level of suspense and tension needed to grip the audience, which leaves the ultimate feeling a little flat and unsatisfying. I would say that Disappearance at Clifton Hill is worth a couple of hours of your time, mostly due to the ambition showed by Shin and the movie’s excellent cinematography, just be prepared to forget most of the plot within a few days.