Caddo Lake is a pleasant surprise for this year’s spooky season, delivering a twisted blend of supernatural mystery and emotional depth that I wasn’t quite prepared for. On the surface, it appears to be another slow-burn thriller, but it quickly spirals into something far wilder and more layered. Directed by Logan George and Celine Held, the film manages to balance absurdity with sincerity in ways that feel both inspired and oddly heartwarming. It’s like peeling back layers of an onion, revealing not just plot twists but emotional truths, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat with its off-kilter charm.
Dylan O’Brien and Eliza Scanlen are nothing short of brilliant here, delivering performances brimming with palpable grief, confusion, and raw emotion. They breathe life into characters who, in lesser hands, might have been overshadowed by the film’s increasingly surreal twists. O’Brien’s portrayal of Paris, a young man drowning in the unresolved trauma of his mother’s tragic death, is deeply affecting. He wears his guilt like a heavy cloak, and his self-imposed isolation—particularly from his former love, Cee (Diana Hopper)—speaks volumes about the silent battle raging within him. Meanwhile, Scanlen is equally captivating, her performance layered with a vulnerability that cuts through the rebellious facade of Ellie, making every emotional beat resonate with sincerity.
Ellie is a rebellious teen, constantly at odds with her mother and grappling with her own desire to escape the emotional wreckage of her home life. Scanlen imbues Ellie with a raw vulnerability, particularly in scenes where her steely exterior crumbles just enough to show the deep affection she has for her missing stepsister, Anna. There’s a beautiful complexity to Ellie’s character—she’s a storm of teenage defiance, but underneath that, she’s fighting to hold her family together in her own imperfect way.
The true strength of Caddo Lake lies in how it masterfully cultivates atmosphere and tension. The setting—yes, the lake is real, though I’m not sure I’d recommend it for your next weekend getaway—feels almost like a living entity, with its dense, fog-laden waters and mysterious, uncharted areas serving as a backdrop for the unfolding chaos. Logan George and Celine Held show an acute understanding of pacing, allowing the unsettling environment to slowly seep into the story like mist creeping over the water. Every scene is drenched in a thick, brooding mood that keeps you on edge, with a growing sense that something just beneath the surface is waiting to be discovered.
As for the inevitable supernatural twist, I won’t ruin the surprise, but it’s a revelation that walks the fine line between being utterly ridiculous and genuinely mind-blowing. In lesser hands, it could have derailed the entire film, but the filmmakers handle it with such conviction and finesse that it becomes not just believable, but compelling. It’s as though the film dares you to question the absurdity, only to sweep you deeper into its strange, haunting world. And through all the madness, there’s an unexpected emotional core—reminders of loss, guilt, and the ways we cope with the unknown—that keeps the film from losing its humanity amidst the madness.
Caddo Lake explores grief, family, and buried secrets that resurface when least expected. The film’s shifts—from intense family drama to supernatural chaos—might feel abrupt, but they work because the emotional core remains steady. However, these tonal changes can occasionally leave the narrative feeling uneven, with some viewers potentially feeling disconnected from the more bizarre elements. While the characters’ pain keeps even the strangest twists grounded, the film’s bizarre layers sometimes overshadow the story’s emotional depth. By the end, it leaves you questioning the plot and reflecting on the emotions it stirs up. Overall, it’s a haunting experience that stays with you, reminding you that underneath the bizarre, there’s always something deeply human waiting to be uncovered.
Caddo Lake is currently available to stream exclusively on Max.
Caddo Lake explores grief, family, and buried secrets that resurface when least expected. The film’s shifts—from intense family drama to supernatural chaos—might feel abrupt, but they work because the emotional core remains steady. However, these tonal changes can occasionally leave the narrative feeling uneven, with some viewers potentially feeling disconnected from the more bizarre elements.
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Codie Allen is a passionate trans and queer film critic and entertainment writer based in Orlando, FL. A Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, Dorian Awards member, and CACF member, they also contribute to The Curb and InSession Film. When they’re not writing about films, you can find them sipping way too much tea and listening to Taylor Swift.
