Lake of Death (De dødes tjern) is an adaptation of a 1958 horror and thriller mystery movie originally penned by Andre Bjerke. The older film was directed by Kåre Bergstrøm. Given its age, the story has a fairly solid reputation for being eerie and doused in atmospheric tension. This new 2020 remake comes with direction from Nini Bull Robsahm. She’s best known for a horror film called Rovdyr, a slasher movie from 2008. Interestingly, Rovdyr is set in the same 1974 period as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the film refers to it and Wrong Turn within the storyline.
In Lake of Death, Lillian (Iben Akerlie) and some friends head off to stay at her family’s lakeside cabin. In the opening scenes, Lilian and her brother are shown as a memory, with the two in a boat on a lake. The trip to the cabin marks a year since her twin brother Bjorn (Patrick Walshe McBride) disappeared. It also stands as a final remembrance for Lillian before she sells the property and never returns. Similar to Robsahm’s previous film, there are a few horror movie references wedged into conversations.
The lake on which the large and ominously looking Werner cabin sits has a far-reaching reputation steeped in folklore. Some have spoken about a creature who resides within the murky waters and tales of murder and suicide are whispered by the locals of the region.
Fear the Ordinary & Never Wake a SleepWalker
The first thing that is overtly obvious while watching Lake of Death is how pretty and clean the cinematography is. I always love it when films take ordinary situations and plant them inside a horror story. It somehow makes the tension far more tangible than it would normally be. As the group settles into their new surroundings, they head to the lake to swim. The sun is shimmering and the water splashes artistically against it. Seconds before, Totto, the dog is seen straining against his lead as Lillian tries to enter the cabin. Totto knows something and he isn’t as relaxed about it as everyone else seems to be.
Lillian is on tenterhooks and unrelaxed being back within calling distance of such a tumultuous time in her life. She sees a face in the window, and under the water. Black veiny mirages appear on one of her friends and imagery of blood pours out of surfaces and people. All disappear as quickly as they appear.
Watch Lake of Death on Shudder
On the first night, Lillian begins sleepwalking and awakens after a particularly frightening dream. Her visions continue, and to make matters worse, a full breakfast is laid on their first morning. Nobody owns up to having made it. Harold has also been marked with the word ‘dead’ on his forehead in ink. Other creepy things begin to happen and one by one the group begins to turn on one another.
There is definitely space for Lake of Death if you like this dreamy fantastical horror that points to unknown forces controlling those that come in contact with it. Death Lake is somewhat slow and extremely quiet but is not at all unenjoyable. It does finally crank up the death count in the final act before revealing its hand. It’s also a story that keeps you guessing as it swings back and forth shining a spotlight on who or what might be the violent antagonist.
Of course, if slow-burn whispery storylines aren’t something you like, there are plenty of other things to watch on Shudder. Check out Mother of Movies’ suggestions below.
I give Lake of Death
3 Horror movie references in a horror movie out of 5
Lake of Death Trailer 2020 & Movie Review
- Produced by Canopy Film.
- Distributed by SF Studios.
- Shot on 35mm film and edited by Bob Murawski (Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell, The Hurt Locker.)
- Starring Iben Akerlie, Jacob Andersen Schøyen, Jonathan Harboe, Sophia Lie, and Elias Mun.
