Caddo Lake

Directed by Celine Held and Logan Georg, Caddo Lake follows Dylan O’Brien’s Paris and Eliza Scanlen’s Ellie as they attempt to solve seemingly separate mysteries. Filmmakers Held and Georg, armed with their own screenplay, offer up a progressively enthralling endeavor that does, admittedly, get off to a less-than-promising start, as the movie boasts a first half that certainly takes its time in establishing its characters and narrative – with, at least, the picture benefiting from its top-tier performances and appealingly specific atmosphere. It’s clear, then, that Caddo Lake‘s transformation from decent to spellbinding is triggered by mid-movie stretch that finally explains exactly what’s happening, with the effectiveness of this portion of the proceedings paving the way for a completely riveting and engrossing final third rife with indelible, affecting sequences and digressions – which, when coupled with an impressively emotional climax, ultimately confirms the movie’s place as a first-class effort that’ll undoubtedly improve upon repeat viewings.

**** out of ****