The Lodge (2020) is a psychological horror film directed by Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, known for their earlier work on Goodnight Mommy (2014). The Lodge is a slow-burn, unsettling story that mixes elements of psychological thriller and survival horror, exploring themes of isolation, grief, trauma, and psychological manipulation.
The film is set during a snowy, remote winter retreat, where two children, Aidan (Jaeden Martell) and Mia (Lia McHugh), are sent to spend time with their soon-to-be stepmother, Grace (Riley Keough). Grace, a woman with a traumatic past, was once part of a religious cult. Her fiancé, Richard (Richard Armitage), has recently reconnected with her, and he brings her along for the trip to bond with his children before their marriage. However, when Richard unexpectedly leaves the family alone at the cabin, things take a sinister turn.
The plot revolves around the psychological breakdown of Grace as the children begin to display strange behavior toward her. They begin to isolate her further, even playing cruel pranks that seem designed to break her mentally. As the days go by, Grace starts to question whether she is losing her mind, or if there’s something more supernatural happening in the cabin.
The tension slowly builds as we learn more about Grace’s troubled past. She is haunted by traumatic memories from her time in the cult, which involved the violent deaths of her family members. The children’s increasingly disturbing behavior, combined with the eerie isolation of the cabin, sets the stage for a deeply unsettling psychological experience. The mystery of what is actually happening in the cabin—whether it’s all in Grace’s head or if there’s a supernatural force at play—becomes a major theme.
The Lodge is a film that is heavy on atmosphere. The setting—desolate, isolated, and snow-covered—is beautifully shot and contributes to the growing sense of dread. The winter cabin setting becomes a character in itself, symbolizing coldness, both literal and emotional, and amplifying the psychological horror.
Riley Keough’s performance as Grace is one of the standout aspects of the film. She convincingly portrays a woman unraveling, straddling the line between a person haunted by guilt and someone being driven to madness. Jaeden Martell and Lia McHugh also give strong performances as the two children, with their unsettling and ambiguous behavior adding layers of mystery to the plot. The film builds a sense of distrust around them, as you’re never sure whether they are simply cruel or if they are victims of a larger supernatural force.
The Lodge is not a fast-paced horror film. It leans more into psychological horror, relying on atmosphere, tension, and the slow degradation of the protagonist’s sanity. The movie doesn’t offer immediate answers and instead forces the viewer to consider what is real versus what is imagined. The ambiguity is intentional, allowing the film to resonate with a lingering sense of unease long after the credits roll.
While The Lodge may not appeal to those looking for traditional scares or gore, it excels in its ability to create a haunting atmosphere and explore the depths of trauma, grief, and human psyche. Its chilling exploration of isolation and mental breakdown, paired with the psychological torment Grace faces, makes it a memorable, albeit unsettling, experience for those who enjoy slow-burn psychological horror.
If you’re a fan of films that focus on atmosphere, subtle tension, and mind-bending narratives, The Lodge is an intense, cerebral experience that keeps you questioning what’s real until the very end.
