Blackwater Lane

Cass (Minka Kelly) is a teacher living with her husband Matthew (Dermott Mulroney) in a huge house in postcard rural England that she inherited. Life is generally good for them having settled into country life and the house.

On her way home from a drink with colleagues Cass decides to take Backwater Lane, a notorious poorly lit road during a violent storm. Noticing a car off the road she stops to take a look, sees a woman in car and drives off.

The next morning the local new reports that the lady in the car was dead (later revealed to have been murdered) then admonished by Matthew for taking such a dangerous route home.

Cass now begins to see people outside and in the house, and receive cold calls on her mobile. Then there are the memory lapses; not remembering signing documents or things that she has bought turning up at the house.

Then there’s a fairly predictable cast of characters introduced to confuse the viewer, try to add some weight to the plot as well as pad out the running time.

There’s a weirdo pupil, the good friend, possible hunky love interest, mourning husband and the ever-present copper. All have their part to play as Cass’s already fragile mental health starts to deteriorate, until a point in the film where there is a notable change.

Directed by Jeff Celentano and written by Elizabeth Fowler, from the novel The Breakdown by B.A. Paris – which I haven’t read. The locations are fine and the large house is perfect for a film such as this.

It’s a shame then that there aren’t many surprises and much of it is by the numbers. It could also have been leaner as while not a long film feels a bit baggy at times.

That is until the last act where it starts to tighten up with if not producing a jaw dropping reveal.

Blackwater Lane will be available on Digital Download from 27 January 2025.