Lake Mungo

Sixteen-year-old Alice Palmer drowns while swimming in the local dam. When her body is recovered and a verdict of accidental death returned, her grieving family buries her. The family then experiences a series of strange and inexplicable events centred around their home. Profoundly unsettled, the Palmer’s seek the help of  and parapsychologist, Ray Kemeny. Kemeny discovers that Alice led a double life. A series of clues lead the family to Lake Mungo where Alice’s secret past emerges.

Lake Mungo was one of the films presented at the After Dark Horror Fest 4: 8 Films to Die For. So it might be a film to see. Now another ghost story? Well yes and no. It was two stories in one. Watching this film was like watching an episode of an unsolved crime show. It had a documentary taste to it. I was surprised at the outcome of this film. I thought I was going to watch a ghost movie, like a Paranormal Activity type. Instead I came across a film that I have never seen before. I do give the Director and Writer, Joel Anderson, props because the characters felt real. The reactions of their behaviors were honest, like they were actual people being interviewed about their lose. Do not get me wrong……….it is a ghost film. Now don’t expect the visual effects to be Grade A. This is pretty much all shot with home video cameras. The film had a “Where’s Waldo” feel to it when dealing with the ghost. Which helped my eyes keep glued to the tv. I was impressed by how the story escalated into something bigger. You first think, “Oh, I’m seeing a ghost randomly in these photos, no big deal”. Then like a mystery story, the plot thickens. That was cool. Like I said before, it had a documentary feel to it. You will have mixed feelings about it, but I assure you, it will intrigue you. Mystery Story sums up the description of the movie, but is it worth any bodyies time? I say so. It’s a weekday night flick. You come home from work on a Wednesday night, getting ready to eat dinner, pop this movie in and see if you like the 1 hour and 27 minutes of it. You will either hate it or like. For me, it would be another film to add-on my shelf; For Movies Just To Have.