Nigel P Michael (Owen Szabo) and Julia (Elizabeth Kell) travel to the Rocky Mountains in order to spend a romantic few days alone together. A likable duo, their never-ending foreplay is nevertheless nauseating, and yet this is how directors Brad Helmink and John Rauschelbach feel they need to convey their feelings for each other.They meet proprietor Henry (Kevin McClatchy) amidst a carnage of general untidiness when they arrive. No hint of an apology forthcoming, Henry proves to be … a bit of a twit, really. Ignorant and arrogant yet formidable, he refers to the couples as 'kids', so it makes no sense when Michael subsequently tries to 'bond' with him by reminiscing about past sporting achievements and telling him how passionate a lover Julia is. As such, much of the couple's time together now becomes an awkward three-way thing.The well-being of the twosome isn't helped by the discovery of a dishevelled young girl Desi (Mandi Kreisher), seemingly kept prisoner in a locked room of the lodge. Why she hasn't made her presence known before now is made clear when her relationship with Henry – not his real name, by the way – is revealed.'The Lodge' is ultimately a well-made, nicely directed, convincingly acted horror thriller. There's a good slow build-up of menace aided immeasurably by the superbly hypnotic score by Yagmur Kaplan. Not the most original or ground-breaking story you'll ever know, but it makes no claims to be – although the DVD cover's proclamation 'The Shining meets Cabin in the Woods' is guilty of overselling its effectiveness.

Sweetie Woozle Loved-Up young couple go to the remotest most faraway place called "The Lodge" for a solitary weekend of sex and not a lot else. Won't spoil anything, but very early indicators suggest all is not right and they should turn around and get out of there! But of course they don't! In comes Mr Caretaker, who seems pretty amiable, but you're not quite sure about him. Quite a slow start and dark too (light-wise!) but before you know it, they're running for their lives and I'll leave you to watch the rest. If you're over 25, then you've seen it all before and don't expect too much from this film. There are some jumpy moments (and disturbing ones too, if you're faint of heart) but if you're a teenager then, apart from a couple of not-so-nice scenes, this will possibly have you reaching for the cushions to hide behind. Standard Remote-House-In-The-Woods type stuff, but if you've got nothing better to do then it's worth a watch.

welshtrekker I don't think a spoiler exists here but I checked the box anyway in case. So on the film - I see it time and time again, a great story hampered by some horrible acting and a director who films like an amateur. Not saying the director is an amateur, but much of the angles lacked the impact that a film like this really needs. Maybe it was budget but a good director can spin a camera into a wonder device for great shots no matter the budget. OK, so we have a couple who rent out a lodge (a very beautiful lodge btw), and discover the caretaker has a chilling surprise in store for them. The premise is good, not original, but it should make for a tingling experience. The psycho caretaker theme should work every time but sadly here, it is not the case and it is not the writer (the story that is, screenplay needs a lot of work..) but the filmmaker and actors at fault. Indie films are where the best films start, and often shame the big budget Hollywood productions by showing that a low budget does not equate to a terrible movie. Here sadly, it is not the case.

gavin6942 As with many other horror stories, things seem to go wrong when you put any number of young people in the woods. With "The Lodge", this is no exception. A young couple, away from the world and set on a non-stop drug-fueled and sexually-charged romantic getaway, have rented the eponymous lodge. But plans go awry when they encounter the caretaker (soap opera guest star Kevin McClatchy), a friendly but seriously deranged woodsman.There is much good that can be said about "The Lodge". For a film that is starring and created by completely unknown people, I was impressed with the final product. The writer (Deb Havener) went through extra effort to create a background for the characters (drummer from a rich family with a music degree, for example). The directing is solid, although I question why there are so many shots of the fields (it seems some shots and the opening credits served no purpose other than to stretch out the length). Music, lighting and all the technical aspects were of a respectable quality (not Hollywood, but at least straight-to-DVD).The two male leads are on opposite ends of the spectrum in the talent department. The young lover was nothing special... he could have been anyone and have been played by anyone, I just had no reason to care about him. The caretaker, on the other hand, was dynamic and menacing. At times I felt he was creepy, at others I felt sorry for him, as he appeared more lonely than sadistic. The range and diversity of his emotions would be hard to put in one character and remain consistent, but yet this was achieved flawlessly. If there's one redeeming factor of this film, it's the caretaker.On a side note, this film raises questions about relationships that I'd like to touch upon (sorry, horror fans). We are clued in early on that the male lead plans on proposing to the female lead, and we have to give him credit for choosing a beautiful locale and a gorgeous woman. But yet, the constant fighting makes it clear they may not be ready for long term commitment. What is the message here? Are we saying that marriage proposals are good and can solve problems? Are we saying that stressful situations can draw people closer? As I often opine, didn't "Speed" teach us anything? The biggest problem with "The Lodge" is the sheer blandness. While there is a fair level of success in creating a creepy atmosphere, at the same time we are rather limited because there are only three key characters. Unlike other horror films, no one can die here or the film has to end prematurely. So the suspense has to be drawn out as long as possible, which works at times and fails at others. Time is also filled with countless sex scenes that go nowhere (sorry, guys). And if you want gore, you're not going to see much here (low body count equals low blood flow).I found "The Lodge" to be enjoyable and watchable (which, these days, is more than I can say for many films). But there was nothing here I haven't seen in a dozen other films. I give Deb Havener credit for the development but her plot writing needs work. For another story involving two people alone in a rented room, see "Vacancy". The sheer intensity of that one makes "The Lodge" look like a Lifetime Network film. And that's not good.