Lake Mungo (2008)

The Palmer family are coming to terms with the death of their daughter Alice, who drowned accidentally in a local reservoir during a family trip, but as the family slowly recover from her sudden death, strange occurrences plague the family members, making them second guess themselves and suspect that maybe Alice is trying to tell them something from beyond the grave.

Lake Mungo comprises interviews from the family and friends of Alice, each giving their own take on what happened in the Palmer household, mixed with home videos and photographs, rather than going for a found footage Paranormal Activity rip-off, director Joel Anderson instead makes one of the best faux-documentary style horrors you’re likely to see for a long time. Following the death of Alice, Lake Mungo follows the family as they search for closure, but as more mysteries and twists crop up, what happened to Alice only gets stranger.

Lake Mungo isn’t a 100% horror film, instead, it is an interesting look at a 16-year-old girl trying to come to terms with getting older and ultimately her mortality, coupled with a family attempting to cope with the untimely death of a loved one and attempting to find out what happened in the lead up to her death and the events that have plagues therm ever since.

Anderson makes this simple premise that could of so easily become a lot like many other found footage films that have come out since Blair Witch, into something more unique and captures the documentary feel perfectly, with one piece of footage or evidence making g you believe you know where this tale will head, only for the next revelation to flip that theory right on its head, And this continues right up until the closing credits, prompting you to rewatch and catch what you missed the first time.

Lake Mungo isn’t a popcorn horror movie, the kind you put on when you’re with your mates, it instead more of a slow burner, filled with atmospheric images and subtle plot twists, which makes it best watched when you have time to pay attention to two, otherwise you might miss a something that changes what you think you knew or spooky image hidden in a picture, Lake Mungo will not be everyone’s cup of tea for that exact reason, if you prefer your horror more like Saw or Scream, then this isn’t the one for you, but if you enjoy well written, well-acted and well-developed films, with a hint of the supernatural, then this is the film for you, especially if like me, was a fan of the 90s television program Strange But True or Ghostwatch.