In “Lyvia’s House,” the film is set up as a mystery inspired by true events. However, a quick internet search resulted in a few theories. Mother of Movies will outline those later, for now, we follow young journalist Tara. After a usually close relationship, Tara feels some ice from her mother.
She meets a cute guy, introduces him to her friend Helen and then has an insatiable urge to follow him for love.
Latching onto the first thing that makes her feel special, Tara moves away with Johnny full of optimism and hope for the future.
A remote town with a bar and a post office, Tara quickly realises she is very far from the city life she is used to. Despite Johhny’s work as a laborer and driving a beat-up car, he ushers her into a beautiful old house.
He tells her it belonged to an Italian artist who had returned home, left the house and everything in it for sale. Getting such a cheap place to live has its downside though. Tara soon finds out there is no Wifi and hardly any cell phone service. With a deadline looming for a story her boss is waiting for, Johnny and Tara enjoy their romance bubble instead.
Left to her own devices, Tara makes friends with the local Post Office clerk, Mary Ann. A disabled mute teen seems to be wherever Tara and Johnny are. Potentially harmless, Georgie gets in trouble when he is discovered peeking into windows. And then a woman is found dead in the orchard. Walnuts grow in Lyvia’s House orchard, and that’s where Annie is found.
Tara begins to investigate the house she is staying in and the history of the town. She hears gossip about a serial killer who killed people twenty years ago and buried them in the orchard. Thinking she has found her next big break news item, Tara believes there might be a connection between past and present.
In the absence of access to Wifi, initially she uses her best friend Helen to fill in some blanks. But Johnny is being dismissive and when she keeps seeing a large rat, she starts to think she is losing her mind. With no one able to answer the questions she needs answers to, she begins to wonder if the town has something to hide.
Pete Davis shared his vision for the film, stating, “Lyvia’s House intertwines a narrative of suspense with the haunting backdrop of true-life crimes, all set against the charm of a small rural town.
Actor Pete Davis who played Sargeant.
Teaser Trailer Thriller Movie
Spoiler Free Review
At the request of the producers, Lyvia’s House film review will be spoiler-free. Mother of Movies will have a hidden spoiler section at the end. There will also be an explanation and some trivia about the history behind whether there is any truth to the story.
Stonecutter Media released Lyvia’s House on Vudu/Fandango at Home and local cable & satellite providers on October 1, 2024. Additional platforms including iTunes/Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play to follow on October 15.
Directed by Niko Volonakis and the screenplay by Patricia V. Davis, a few moments of creativity stood out. I didn’t pick up on Easter Eggs throughout the runtime. But directorial notes point at nods to cinema classics like Gaslight, Get Out, Fire Walk With Me, The Mirror, Laura, and A Streetcar Named Desire. These points of interest are said to be speckled throughout the runtime.
The Plot
The film is fairly plot-heavy, and the finale is reliant on paying attention to a few details along the way. Kudos to the filmmakers on bringing their A-game to a small-budget time-passing exercise. The end of the movie was worth waiting for.
Performances are tight, with members maximising their talents in a skeletal cast. Tara (Nichol Caldwell) also plays Lyvia’s part. Johhny is played by Joshua Malekos. Both were convincing leads given the scope of their feelings towards one another.
There are creative camera techniques, casting and sound design that stand out.
Opening scenes introduce a long shot of Edward McKay. Setting up behind a tree any footage of the historical killer never shows his face.
It’s a beautiful-looking mystery thriller and it’s easy to see how much thought was put into every detail. The lighting in parts is stunning and moody which creates an extra layer of substance.
“Stop looking at me like that!”
Harvest of Horror – The Truth Behind Lyvia’s House
As confirmed by the information on IMBD.pro the Lyvia’s House subplot is inspired by Harvest of Horror. It’s a real thing.
California’s deadliest killer murdered 25 migrant workers and buried them under Peach trees in an orchard. The man in Lyvia’s House was referred to as Edward Jay McKay. The tale ties into the twisted narrative of Lyvia’s House well. He was known as the “Machete Murderer” and the real man behind the killings was arrested in 1971.
For more information on this check out the Factual America website. The deputy to the left of the screen in the 90s flashback of the movie is real footage. When the bodies are discovered in the film, this is one of the lawyers who worked on the Juan Corona case.
Lyivia’s House has a Facebook Page, get behind it.
Lyvia’s House is rated
3.75 Once a rat, always a rat out of 5
Lyvia’s House Streaming
Looking for more titles with great twists? Tin and Tina (Netflix horror) | Fractured and Eli double review| Kill 2024 | Broken Bird | The Coffee Table
LYVIA’S HOUSE 2023 is streaming on:
Powered byCast: Joshua Malekos Deborah Tucker, Ann Marie Gideon, Tara Nichol Caldwell, and Brit Zane.
Lyvia’s House Explained | Spoiler Warning
Lyvia’s House Ending
In a final twisted, twist the truth behind Tara and Johnny’s relationship is revealed. Julia, Tara’s mother never told her who her father was. She hid his identity and began distancing herself when Tara began suspecting something was awry. Turns out mom had an affair with Ed McKay who was married to Johnny’s mom. She killed herself when she found out. Then shortly after, Ed was put in prison leaving Johnny in the wind.
Until, of course, he found out he had a sister. Then he married a French artist and set up Georgie for her murder if he was ever discovered. He found Tara and whisked her away to exact his revenge. He needed to show her mom, Julia what it was like to lose everything.
Lyvia's House | Hinged On Real Historical Crimes
Director: Niko Volonakis
Date Created: 2024-10-01 16:36
3.75
