Child death always leaves you feeling sad, no matter how good the story. The two little leads were great. Beautiful, smart little girls. For the person that didn't understand it, Rachel was the middle sister if not Bex twin I think, Lilith's son hit her with the car and killed her. The mother never spoke of it again and Bex was mean because she had trouble coping as well. The little boy belonged to the lady that was passing through, she only stayed a couple of nights, that was explained. Once Leah took the lock of hair it woke up Rachel's spirit and she wanted to be heard. So she came to Leah to tell her the story. And her death upset the mother so bad she went into early labor, that's why Leah was born early. When she asks "are you going to tell dad?" She meant "are you going to tell him about Racheals ghost?" It was a good movie and played out well.
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Movieshepherd13 September 2021
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cofffey16 September 2021No spooky monsters or slahser murderers in this movie.
Just a well crafted mystery movie with great actors.
The pieces of the puzzles are not being rubbed in your face (like in Hollywood "horror" movies), but being handed out tothe viewer to put them together in their head, to be completed.
Well done! -
PedroPires9016 September 2021Good one. It's not a typical jumpscare film - working much better as a drama with a strong atmosphere- and thank god for that, because reading the plot I was thinking "just another generic ghost story".
The acting from the main children is absolutely incredible, so realistic, so credible. The relationships in the family very distinct and well crafted. The good vs evil vs grey area always there. Emotionally very strong and very well shot. It's a bit predictable, but it's a really good story avoiding a lot of clichés. -
bkgseoul11 September 2021Not a bad film, just boring and actually a little bit sad to watch.
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gpradodemarco20 September 2021I found the movie to be very good, the acting of the main protagonist was formidable for her young age. It's a slow burn, demands patience, but delivers an emotional finale.
I wouldn't recommend it for the scary part, specially if you are a hardcore horror fan, but if you like movies with a gloomy, dark atmosphere, mystery and ghosts, you might enjoy this one!
7/10! -
vanvance12 September 2021As a lover of horror and specifically the sub genre of ghosts/haunted house films I was looking forward to this heavily hyped movie. Unfortunately it didn't deliver. Here's what you won't get:
1 - Any developed characters with dimension.
2 - Emotional connections that draw you in.
3 - A new story or a new spin on an old one.
4 - Technical competence.
Martyrs Lane is a clumsily told, simplistic story without scares. If I wasn't a lover of the genre I'd have to drop it's score to three.
Should the director of this film (or you the reader) like examples of what can be done when looking to create a touching tale of ghosts I'd suggest 'The Changeling (1980) which is the high water mark against which it's competition should be judged and The Orphanage. There are many others as well. Martyr's Lane is a forgettable genre misstep. -
marcusdavis4012 September 2021I thought that this was a very good movie .The pace was a bit slow but the acting by these 2 talented young girls was quite brilliant .
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yamahapic26 September 2021A below average movie in term of script, seems a waste of time.
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Red-Barracuda30 August 2021Very nicely executed supernatural thriller about a young girl who experiences ghostly goings on in her new home.
There's effective details in this one, as the mystery is slowly revealed by way of smalls clues that bit by bit complete the central puzzle. The main event being a little girl who visits the protagonist in the dead of night and tells her the location of items to be collected. Acting, in particular by the two young actresses, is excellent.
Subtle, yet involving stuff. -
JaneBingley12 September 2021It was a bit spooky in places. But I have so many questions.. I am not some teen with short attentionspan, but I am a boomer.
Who was Rachel? Who was the decaying girl?
When the mum told Leah that she (Leah) was born too early, Leah said "Did you tell dad?" Why wouldn't he know that his daughter was born early?
Who was the baby boy we see now and again?
Why was Sarah mad at Lillian's son in law?
Why was the big sister so nasty?
A lovely movie, just too bad it flew over my head. -
gunmetalblue12 September 2021The movie ran a little bit on the slow side, but maintained it's creepy atmosphere. Its not a bad story line but It's very British. I'm a firm believer that you have to be both like and understand the dry British wit, humor, and culture to enjoy any British film. A lot of Americans don't have that ability. Case in point, the reviewer from earlier this evening who gave the film 1 star and stopped watching because of a black female Bishop. For his, and everyone's information, the church represented in the movie is not the Roman Catholic Church. It's the Anglican Church of England. In the jolly ol C of E, they began ordaining their first women into the priesthood in 1994. So, it is entirely possible that they have a Bishop whom is both female and black. The C of E also allows their priests to get married and have families. So it is also very possible that the girls father is a priest in good standing. Despite all that. With any horror movie it's a good rule of thumb not to think too deeply or take it too seriously and try to enjoy the scary stuff.
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richardwworkman18 September 2021As much as many horror genre fans hate to admit it, ghosts stories are deeply spiritual.
There's has been a resurgence of interest in the ghost story as an exploration of mortality in recent years. Films such as The Dark and the Wicked, Saint Maud and Relic for example all address death and loss almost exclusively as a spiritual experience.
In Martyrs Lane, all the usual Horror tropes are stripped bare, leaving only the only true significance of any ghost story; a contemplation on death.
It occasionally makes for some uncomfortable viewing. Perhaps one of the more successful aspects of this story was the way it incorporated faith and religion.
I think we've grown used to seeing the religion as some kind of superpower in the fight against demonic possession, here through, faith is effectively powerless as an instrument of change.
The acting performances and direction are incredible.
This is a touching exploration of our place in the world, our existence and a powerful reminder of how short our time on earth can me. -
nogodnomasters17 October 2021Leah (Kiera Thompson) lives in a large home near the wood's edge. Her father is Father Thomas (Steven Cree) at the local church. Her sister Bex (Hannah Rae) teases her and her mother Lillian (Anastasia Hille) has a cool relationship with Leah. Lillian wears a locket that peaks the interest of Leah. A guardian angel visits Leah at night and tells her where lost items are located, playing a game. Leah took what was in her mother's locket and lost it.
The story was better than what was portrayed on the screen. Ruth Platt is a better writer than director, at least in this film. The scenes dragged on and I kept yelling at the screen, "Get to the point already!"
Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity. -
hynfpyg5 May 2022This movie kept me thinking for days. The acting was exceptional especially the two little girls. I watched this movie with my dad and both of us could not figure out what all the teeth on top of the cabinet were all about. If someone has any thoughts on this we would love some input.
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Neptune16527 September 2021Why Lia never shared that what's happening with her mom why she stay sad why Lia hear some sounds and when her mother saw her dead daughter why she didn't asked help to her husband . If the director would have given some sparkles then this movie could become a master piece. Awful movie! Works as sleep medicine! Watch something else.
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heratyplant7 November 2021If you want lots going on, a quick pace & jump scares galore, this will not be for you. If however, an eerie slow build, well done for the budget & with really excellent child performances ticks some boxes, this is definitely worth a watch.
The stand out here are the central performances of the 2 child actors, both are great finds with the little angel giving tour de force eeriness for her young years. Naturally good child actors don't come along that often in the UK, so these 2 could have an amazing career in acting, if that's what they want.
Very competently made, which doesn't sound like a compliment, but very much is, when compared to other films at this level, it's way above most of its competition.
A slow creeping dread, rather than big jumps, but it's all the better for that, so take a stroll down Martyr's Lane, if you dare. -
spoiledtiffany26 September 2021Don't waste your time watching this movie. We have movie night as a family every week and this is on our disappointment list.
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xmmx-2087713 September 2021A pretty good movie, it was more sad than scary. Definitely made me cry. Once you realise the premise of this movie, you'll definitely see the whole picture. It's a slow burn but worth watch until the ending.
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killercharm20 August 2022This is the story of a parson and his family living in a parsonage with all kinds of woods and fields and barns and sheds and people and animals; a healthy country life, except everyone in the family has a cloud hovering over them, even the kids. Amidst all this sturm and drang the youngest member of the family is starting to get visits at night from a little girl who calls herself a guardian angel, right there at her second floor window a little girl hovers until she's asked in. This flick is a little too slow and there is almost nil suspense; what happens next barely matters. It is a prettily shot movie.
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They really need to label movies correctly, because there really wasn't much horror in this movie. It's a mystery and a ghost tale. But I really liked it and the 2 main child actresses were Wonderful! Rachel made me think of what Nicole Kidman probably looked like as a little girl. And Leah, who carried most of this movie, is Amazing with her emotional range and I think will be someone to watch, as her star may rise, if she continues acting.
I Love Gothic horror, or in this case ghost stories. And I love the scenes with the Minister, Leah's Father in the church talking about Heaven and Hell. I knew Right Away, it wasn't a Catholic Church. LOL I thought it was just lovely how he discussed this subject with his young daughter.
I related a lot to Leah, even the bunny scene, sadly. I loved her room and what seemed like a Byzantine Era angel artwork above her bed. And I've always loved and been familiar with Hebrews13:2 since I was a small girl. And try to follow it all my life. Wish more people in this world would too.
Anyhoo... If your here for a slow moving, mystery, drama, that's wrapped in a ghost story with some likable characters (and some Not so likable) and don't want a Gore-fest. Then you may like this movie.
If you have no empathy for others and the attention span of a mayfly, Then I suggest you MOVE ON!! ;D. -
petarilic3212 October 2021I wish I could say anything nice about this movie but it's very hard to. I guess there were a few eerie scenes between the two girls. That's about it.
Plot is super predictable at all times but that's not the main issue. Not even close. Plot is super boring and you lose interest pretty early on. This is coming from someone who appreciates slow burn style that lasts far longer than this did.
Characters behave in a very unusual way for no apparent reason and it never gets explained why aside from her mother. Dialogue is dull. Script is super bad. Cheap jump scares made me want to stop watching.
Nothing cinematographic, nothing visual, no soundtrack to back it up, no scary scenes. Absolutely nothing.
For those claiming it's an "emotional film", you have to be kidding me. There's zero(0) emotional involvement into characters from start to finish. Characters never get any development and there's nothing to relate to.
Beware of good reviews. Trickster: 100 A very generous 2/10. -
Labelling this movie a horror flick couldn't be further from the truth. I understand the low rating as a misunderstanding because people think it's the French movie 'Martyrs'. It is actually a quiet movie about dealing with grief of losing a child from the perspective of the parents, the older sister and the young daughter who doesn't know anything about the other sibling, let alone her death. I liked it a lot and it left me quite emotional. Excellent cinematography underlined by a tender soundtrack, good acting with outstanding acting from Leah. If you're looking for gore- this one ain't for you ;-)
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Aria_Athena8 December 2021I believe that it currently holds such a low score because it has been mislabeled as a horror movie. It is a supernatural drama with some thriller elements. It's about a little girl who by taking something, which did not belong to her, awakens the past, both literally and metaphorically. While it is predictable, it is not about the mystery and the whole plot unravels very well, with quite a few nuanced moment.
Also, it's rather important to note that the kid actors were very decent. -
tariqma200210 November 2021The movie contains many illogical and unexplained events.. Horror movies, even if they have a fantasy part, but their events must be somewhat reasonable.. But this movie was in the world of absurdity.. Children performed in the movie was better than adults.. Photography, sound, music, and makeup levels were Less than what should to be , this is because horror films depend a lot on the efficiency of these elements.. the story was simple, unwoven and without connotation, and the directing is simple.