Caddo Lake: A Mystical Thriller Where Time Bends and Secrets Resurface
Ellie (Eliza Scanlen) resides in the quaint Texan town of Carney, nestled on the shores of Caddo Lake, alongside her mother, Celeste (Lauren Ambrose), stepfather Daniel (Eric Lange), and her younger sister, eight-year-old Anna (Caroline Falk). In this locale, boats are the preferred mode of transportation over cars. One fateful day, Anna vanishes amidst the swampy waters. Paris (Dylan O’Brien), a young man plagued by unsettling episodes, stumbles upon the injured girl and rescues her, but not to her family.
Eliza Scanlen as Ellie in a still from “Caddo Lake”
“Caddo Lake” is the brainchild of Logan George and Celine Held, marking their second feature film. The duo has a long-standing collaborative history, having produced several short films, their debut “American Dream,” and contributing to the series “Servant” and “Dark Matter.” M. Night Shyamalan served as the producer for “Caddo Lake.” It’s no surprise that the director of “The Sixth Sense” and “The Village” was drawn to George and Held’s film, a mystical narrative filled with unexpected plot twists, a hallmark of Shyamalan’s work.
Dylan O’Brien as Paris in a still from “Caddo Lake”
A Story Best Experienced Unknowing
“Caddo Lake” is the kind of film where the less you know about the plot, the better. The story unfolds through two seemingly unrelated storylines, focusing on Ellie and Paris. Both characters find solace in boating on the lake, overshadowed by the looming branches of trees, yet their paths never intersect. The somber landscapes evoke memories of the first season of “True Detective.” Caddo Lake is situated in East Texas, bordering Louisiana. Ellie is desperately searching for Anna and struggles to accept her father’s seemingly unprovoked departure years ago. Paris is grappling with the recent loss of his mother. During droughts, Paris, like his mother, experiences tremors in his hands. He is determined to understand how to avoid his mother’s fate and maintain control over his body.
Unraveling the Mystery
George and Held’s film slowly pieces together a cohesive puzzle. At the heart of the story lies a massive dam on the lake, constructed in 1952. Humanity’s attempt to control nature comes at a price. Without giving too much away, strange occurrences plague Caddo Lake, and at certain times, a portal opens between different eras. The intricate structure of the American film is reminiscent of the German series “Dark.” In the series, the town of Winden is home to a nuclear power plant, while Caddo Lake features a dam built by humans. In both cases, humanity sets in motion a chain of irreversible events. With fewer characters in the film, viewers are less likely to get lost in the complexities.
Eliza Scanlen as Ellie in a still from “Caddo Lake”
The Pieces Fall Into Place
In the latter half of the film, the answers emerge, and the subtle details gradually revealed to the audience fall into place, adding depth to the narrative. A necklace found in the forest, dead butterflies, and chance encounters all hold significance in the mystical thriller. The characters are connected through objects and the setting. While the film lacks jump scares, the machinations of fate and the inevitability of events create a sense of unease.
“Caddo Lake” features several sympathetic and traumatized characters, whose lives have been tragically affected by the disappearance of loved ones. They never fully recover from their losses. While George and Held’s film may not be entirely original, the emotional core of the story is compelling. “Caddo Lake” is both meticulously crafted and captivating to watch. Shyamalan can take pride in these young talents, having nurtured a generation capable of delivering surprises.