Mercy Falls (2023) Movie Review

Mercy Falls – Movie Review

Director: Ryan Hendrick

Writer: Melia Grasska, Ryan Hendrick (Screenplay)

Cast

Lauren Lyle (Outlander)
Nicolette McKeown (Lost at Christmas)
James Watterson
Layla Kirk (The Nest)
Joe Rising (Annika)

Plot: A group of friends set off into the Scottish Highlands in search of a long lost cabin. Once far from civilization, an unforeseen tragedy befalls the group and one bad decision leads to suspicion, betrayal and murder.

Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mercy Falls starts when a group of friends Rhona (Lyle), Scott (Watterson), Heather (Kirk), Donnie (Rising) and Andy (Sweeney) head into the Scottish Highlands. They are joined by hitchhiker Carla (McKeown) and set off on the journey. As the friends find themselves getting lost in the Highlands, they see tensions starting to rise.

After an incident, they find themselves battling suspicion, betrayal and murder. This leads us down the path of wondering whom they can trust as they look to finish their journey.

Verdict on Mercy Falls

Mercy Falls is a horror thriller following a group of friends that find themselves in the Scottish Highlands. They are joined by a hitchhiker and find themselves needing to battle to survive in the aftermath of an accident.

This is a movie that uses the location of the Scottish Highlands well. It creates an isolation that the characters are looking for during their journey. However, it gets turned against them when things get out of hand. When it comes to the battle, it gives us a reflective battle to survive, as they look to deal with past traumas. However, it does fall into a panic causing more problems. Even though we have a strong creation in location use, the movie does struggle to create as much tension as it could and ends up feeling like it pauses between big moments. There never feels like there is an urgency the story puts in place.

Where to Watch: Mercy Falls comes to cinemas now & On digital on 9 November 2023

Final Thoughts –Mercy Falls is a by-the-books lost in the woods thriller.