Teresa Sutherland’s directorial debut, Lovely, Dark, and Deep, is a mesmerizing and atmospheric cosmic horror film. It stands out from the typical “creature in the woods” fare. This 2023 film is far from a simple slasher. It is a deeply unsettling and thought-provoking psychological thriller. The film uses its beautiful, yet menacing, setting to explore themes of grief, trauma, and the mysterious power of nature. Anchored by a standout performance from its lead, Georgina Campbell, the film invites viewers to get lost in its disorienting and hypnotic world.
A Captivating Performance and a Haunting Protagonist
At the heart of the film’s success is Georgina Campbell’s portrayal of Lennon, a new backcountry park ranger. Campbell, known for her compelling work in Barbarian, brings a quiet intensity to a character haunted by the childhood disappearance of her sister in the same national park. Lennon isn’t just looking for a job; she’s on a personal, obsessive quest for answers. Campbell masterfully conveys Lennon’s internal struggle, showing a woman who is both determined and deeply fragile. Her performance is the anchor that holds the film together. It makes Lennon’s descent into a terrifying, altered reality both believable and emotionally resonant. She draws the audience in, making us feel her growing unease and dread as the line between reality and hallucination blurs.
The Wilderness as a Character
The film’s most powerful element is its setting. The beautiful, sweeping vistas of the fictional Arvores National Park are not a place of peace. Although it was filmed in Portugal, it is a source of overwhelming dread. Cinematographer Rui Poças’s work is stunning, capturing the pristine, natural beauty of the forest while simultaneously making it feel vast, disorienting, and claustrophobic. The camera moves slowly, often upside down. These shots create a sense of unease. It feels as if the world itself is subtly tilting out of balance. The sound design is equally impressive. Distorted radio signals and eerie echoes contribute to a sense of being both alone and watched. The rustling of leaves enhances this feeling. The wilderness becomes a living, breathing entity with its own rules, and its own unsettling demands.
A Thought-Provoking Narrative on Loss and Trauma
Inspired by the final stanza of Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” the film’s title hints at its thematic depth. Lovely, Dark, and Deep is a meditation on loneliness, loss, and the eternal nature of grief. The film taps into the real-life phenomenon of people who go missing in national parks, weaving in elements of true-crime podcasts and conspiracy theories. It’s a slow-burn narrative that builds dread through ambiguity and psychological terror rather than cheap jump scares. The film posits a terrifying question. What if people aren’t just getting lost? What if they are being taken by the land itself? As Lennon is forced to confront this horrifying truth, she is also forced to confront her own past, and the immense weight of her unresolved trauma. The film’s commitment to its surreal, dream-logic storytelling may not offer easy answers. However, it rewards viewers who are willing to engage with its enigmatic and unsettling vision.
An Assured and Visually Impressive Debut
Teresa Sutherland, who also wrote the excellent screenplay for 2018’s The Wind, shows an impressive command of visual storytelling in her debut feature. She creates a unique and compelling cinematic experience that expertly blends folk horror and cosmic horror. The film is confident in its pacing, allowing the dread to build slowly and insidiously. By the time the film reaches its breathtakingly bleak and unforgettable climax, the audience is fully ensnared. Lovely, Dark, and Deep is a haunting nightmare. It is beautifully crafted and will stay with you long after the credits roll. It will make you look at the woods—and the darkness within—in a whole new way.
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