source: House by the Lake

Where it takes some ideas and presents them in an interesting way, nothing is done with them. The framing and shot composition was perhaps the most disappointing as they felt very disconnected from the story and scene overall; it was as if someone said "hey what if we shot it from that angle? That would be cRaZy and that would mean it's artistic." The acting was at times strong and at others fairly forced and unnatural. It did not really pass my test of "could I actually picture real people talking like this?" more often than not. The finale was also so very underwhelming, all that build up for almost nothing. Granted it's a short movie, but barely anything happens and there's little to no real scares throughout.

The actors seem as if they are still acting in a class setting. Odd, stiff, uncomfortable....can't even get facial expressions. And the child Actor, yea, just staring with wide eyes is not remotely considered acting nor believable. (Dramamine needed, shaky-cam )

I found this movie very interesting and entertaining until the end. I won't spoil it, but I actually laughed out loud because it was a real surprise. If nothing else, it's good for a laugh.

I couldn't finish the movie because all the characters suck. The father is flirting with the teenage nanny and she isn't stopping him. The dad and the nanny go off to play football, leaving the little girl alone by the lake. While they are screwing around a pervert starts talking to the little girl, the mom notices and tells him to stay away from her daughter and the father apologizes to the man. I'm wrong, not everyone sucks, I like the mother.The father is so into playing with the nanny that he couldn't see that his daughter was in danger. The mother needs to either get rid of the nanny or the husband. They put the girl in a dangerous situation. I don't know if it gets better, but what I saw was pretty bad.

Nothing like horror events was occurred except the scene you can see in the poster of film. No story, No horror, No acting... In one sentence, it is awful! The worst movie I have ever watched! I highly recommend that don't waste your time watching it!

HOUSE BY THE LAKE is yet another American ghost story in which a family move into a rural home and find themselves assailed by dark forces which typically remain unseen thanks to the indie budget. This one's once again about a kid and her imaginary friend, the same old plot device already cliched by the time it appeared in the likes of HIDE AND SEEK. The production values are a little stronger than most indies and there's no faulting the photography, but the script is drawn-out and lacking and the main characters unlikeable.

'House by the Lake' drew me into seeing it, with a cool poster/cover, an intriguing and quite creative premise and as someone with a general appreciation for horror. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there, made me though apprehensive. It is sadly however yet another film seen recently, hence some reiteration because the exact same strengths and flaws are here present in those films, that to me was incredibly disappointing considering its potential which it doesn't do anywhere near enough with. 'House by the Lake' is terrible, with a plethora of problems (huge ones too) and doesn't do enough with its potential, which was hardly small. There is very little to recommend, but still a couple of qualities in 'House by the Lake'. Lets start with the positives. The scenery is atmospheric and spooky, despite the rather direct to video schlocky way it's generally shot (apart from the odd nice one) and edited, it was very clear that the film was made in a rush with no care or enthusiasm. Best thing about 'House by the Lake' is the performances of James Callis and Ann Dudek doing what they can with characters not well fleshed out. Going on further to the negatives, the story does feel over-stretched and some of it feels vague, under-explained in the last third where the film especially became duller, more predictable, more senseless and less unsettled and never gaining momentum. Too many characters are too sketchy and with nowhere near enough to make one want to endear to them. Their annoying and illogical decision making and behaviours frustrates. Making the film feel bland and forgettable with not enough heart put into it. The effects are ropy at best, the sound quality is obvious and utilised cheaply (being too loud in the build ups and people's reactions) and all of the acting is lacking mostly. Dialogue can be stilted and rambling while the pace and film drags on forever, never recovering until finally getting slightly intriguing to the ending when something finally happens. Even the ending however is botched, due to being so incomplete-feeling, illogical and rushed. Found too many the supposedly shocking moments not surprising or scary and the supposedly creepy atmosphere dreary, due to the excessive obviousness, a lot of dumb and vague moments and explanations and the lack of tension and suspense. A lot of 'House by the Lake' has underdeveloped plot elements and often nonsensical and confusing character motivations, while too many of the things to make you shocked are far from creative or unsetling There is not enough threat here and what there is of it tends to be used poorly, while the psychological elements are unimaginative and are more odd than scary, completely failing to show any sense of horror. Some badly sagging momentum too. The direction is leaden, got the sense their heart was not in it, and the music doesn't really fit. Concluding, terrible. 2/10 Bethany Cox

Anybody rating this movie as a good film has obviously been entertainment starved and just let out of their cage. I loooove horror flicks, blockbusters and low budget. First off, this is not horror (except for the last 10 seconds and it's seriously lame), this is a "C" grade attempt at Drama, not horror. The cinematography is bad, the acting sub par with a couple of exceptions, the sound.....really? I will say the story COULD have been interesting in the right hands and with a decent budget. *****SPOILER ALERT***** The creature from the black lagoon in the last ten seconds of this project........No...don't!!!

Unfortunately, this is yet another horror movie that starts out great and ends with a cringe. Granted, Callis and Dudek were downright impressive, so if you just want to see the dynamics of a troubled marriage played out, you might appreciate this. If you are looking for a clever plot, you will just be annoyed when you get to the end. Seriously, expect an incredibly lame ending.