Netflix's 'The Lodge': Sends Chills Down Viewers' Spines

Some viewers have found themselves unsettled by 'The Lodge' on Netflix, labelling it as a "disturbing" and "twisty" horror film. Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, the psychological horror story revolves around a soon-to-be stepmother stranded with her fiance’s two children at a remote lodge during Christmas, where unexplained events start to unfold.

Originally released in 2019, the film features Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh, and Richard Armitage.

Since its arrival on Netflix on 2nd January, 'The Lodge' has garnered a new audience, with many viewers considering it a chilling departure from the festive season. One viewer described it as "very creepy, disturbing, and cool," even mentioning screaming within the first 10 minutes.

Another praised its taut psychological drama, highlighting its atmospheric creeps and commending the smart script for adding a twisty spin to the exploration of childhood trauma, grief, and resentment.

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Starring Riley Keough from ‘Daisy Jones and the Six,’ Jaeden Martell known for his role in ‘It,’ Lia McHugh from ‘A House on the Bayou,’ Alicia Silverstone from ‘Clueless,’ and Richard Armitage from ‘Obsession,’ 'The Lodge' was initially released in 2019 at the Sundance Film Festival. Although it recently became available on Netflix, the thriller has received mixed reviews, with a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 51 per cent. However, it earned a Tomatometer rating of 75 per cent, officially earning the "fresh" label.

Despite the varied critical reception, the film is making waves among viewers, prompting many to share their thoughts on platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) following its recent addition to Netflix.

Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, known for their 2014 psychological horror film ‘Goodnight Mommy,’ which was later remade in the U.S. with Naomi Watts in 2022, are the directors behind ‘The Lodge.’ The Austrian duo also contributed to the 2018 anthology horror film ‘The Field Guide To Evil.’

As of January 4, ‘The Lodge’ holds the top position on the Netflix UK film charts, surpassing titles like ‘Queenpins,’ ‘Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget,’ and Zack Snyder’s ‘Rebel Moon.’

– Farheen Ali