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Lake Mungo
Lake Mungo
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Lake Mungo

Lake Mungo

2008
Suspense/Thriller, Horror
1h 27m
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 centered in and around their home. (imdb)

Directed by:

Joel Anderson

Screenwriter:

Joel Anderson

Starring:

Robin Cuming, Steve Jodrell, Scott Terrill, Tamara Donnellan, Chloe Armstrong, Talia Zucker, Martin Sharpe, Judith Roberts, Rosie Traynor, David Pledger, Tania Lentini, Cameron Strachan

Genres:

Suspense/Thriller, Horror, Mystery

Country:

Australia

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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Lake Mungo

2008
Suspense/Thriller, Horror
1h 27m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 46.12% from 586 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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beedubBeeDub
Rated 24 Oct 2021
88
74th
Subtle, effective, and unnerving mockumentary. Like all good ghost stories, it's just as much about tragedy and grief as it is about scares. Underrated.
Rated 24 Oct 2021
paxtonPaxton
Rated 01 Nov 2018
70
65th
It's like the Where's Waldo series focused on the woman in the "painting" from Dario Argento's Deep Red. You unlock a life achievement if you watch a documentary about the making of this film.
Rated 01 Nov 2018
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 09 Sep 2011
70
55th
Very low-key and not really that filled with scares, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The story changes just often enough to remain interesting and I have a soft spot for ghostly apparitions. Well, not really a soft spot, more like a 'goosebumps on places where they shouldn't be' type of discomfort. As such, the few moments that were meant to be disturbing had the right effect. The deathly apparition appearance in particular was surprisingly creepy. Nice cinematography too.
Rated 09 Sep 2011
valenzettiValenzetti
Rated 05 Oct 2011
87
78th
There's only one moment that doesn't work, when it jumps to J-Horror for all of three seconds. It's completely at odds with the rest of the film. There may be something there, but I can't see it. Other than that, it's haunting and beautiful and moving from start to finish. I've never seen the combination of ghost story and family documentary so richly realized, and as a reflection on the intersection of human nature, memory, and the photographic/cinematic process over and above a ghost movie.
Rated 05 Oct 2011
terrymacterrymac
Rated 12 Oct 2021
70
58th
I got into this. The mockumentary style was handled really well, bolstered by effective performances and the general camerawork and execution was pretty slick. It went in a few different directions throughout, but remained compelling, if slightly unresolved in a few ways. I get the comparisons with Twin Peaks, and there were a few moments that creeped me out a bit. There was something mildly unsatisfying about it I can’t put my finger on, but it was definitely worth watching.
Rated 12 Oct 2021
desertpunkDesertPunk
Rated 09 Dec 2012
78
69th
I figured this was an everyday thing in Australia. I don't get why they're all so worked up.
Rated 09 Dec 2012
djrossdjross
Rated 07 Apr 2011
50
44th
Although it will inevitably be compared with other pseudo-documentary-style horror movies, the true inspiration was, in my view, TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME, both thematically and otherwise. The narrative takes some unexpected turns that makes it more interesting than the typical horror movie, and it is put together in quite an accomplished manner. While not terribly horrifying, it does manage to generate a certain resonance, with some very nice cinematography in the moments between the video.
Rated 07 Apr 2011
burnmp3sburnmp3s
Rated 19 Jan 2010
25
8th
This film probably holds the record for highest number of slow zoom-ins on blurry photos. It's almost entirely made up of (fake) talking heads documentary footage, home movies, and the aforementioned slow still photo zooms. Even if the film is supposed to be more emotional and poignant than scary, the characters never really say anything interesting and far too much time is spent on the ghost aspect. By the end of the film I was wishing for anything even remotely exciting to happen.
Rated 19 Jan 2010
iconogassediconogassed
Rated 12 Oct 2021
60
38th
Strangely overpraised in some quarters (seems to be gaining a rep among Horror Twitter types as some kind of semi-forgotten classic) but not too bad. I appreciated the wink to Canucks with the name of one of the reporters, "Genevieve Trudeau", which, of course, combines the first name of Canada's greatest living actress, with the last name of Canada's greatest living Rolling Stones gang bang participant.
Rated 12 Oct 2021
vv238vv238
Rated 03 Oct 2021
55
57th
A young girl named Palmer, with a boyfriend but secret lover, is murdered and found in a lake. Her family struggles to pick up the pieces and figure out her death while paranormal events happen in the background. Obvious Twin Peaks parallels aside, Lake Mungo is sometimes very tense and sometimes very rote but this does feel intentional. It won't please general audiences but Lake Mungo is a hidden gem worth it for cinemaphiles who like terror.
Rated 03 Oct 2021
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 10 Nov 2019
70
46th
What stands out in Lake Mungo is its authenticity. The filmmakers took such care in crafting a realistic story that it gives the audience the opportunity to really become immersed in the story. The film gives off strong Picnic at Hanging Rock vibes. Not all mockumentaries need to be comedies.
Rated 10 Nov 2019
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 22 Aug 2018
84
84th
Gave me real chills twice Macabre Month of Horror review: https://youtu.be/48cfGAUTe_o
Rated 22 Aug 2018
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 21 Dec 2012
68
26th
This really was not scary at all. I'm not sure if that was really the goal, though. This movie did ooze one thing... creepiness. The whole movie was directed in a style of a documentary. The acting was really well done, so well done in fact that I sometimes forgot that they were actors and I was watching something on the History Channel. If you like something found-footage-like this is a good one... better than most really. The sad part is, it does have some dry spells through the film.
Rated 21 Dec 2012
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 21 Oct 2022
89
82nd
Document of a twisty “true crime” case will test the extremes of supernatural sceptics and believers alike; Anderson is to be commended for his conviction in cleverly teasing out his “plot twists” ultimately serving this to work as an extremely effective mystery/thriller and an evocative record of the events. Talking about the handling of the material any further would constitute a major spoiler, but kudos to Anderson and his subjects for providing a haunting and unsettling experience.
Rated 21 Oct 2022
romofinRomoFin
Rated 08 Jun 2022
80
65th
Completely carried by great and eerily realistic performances along with the pretty creepy atmosphere. Actually surprised me how immersed I was despite some odd turns in the story.
Rated 08 Jun 2022
monalaurieMona_Laurie
Rated 27 May 2022
88
68th
This movie has such an interesting idea, and the genre they used to tell it was perfectly selected. I love the ideas it focuses on; I'll definitely be coming back to this one.
Rated 27 May 2022
nobambanobamba
Rated 15 Aug 2021
75
83rd
I didn't care for the one almost jump scare, since the rest of the mockumentary did such a great job of easing me into the mundane. I would have liked a lot more easter eggs left for repeat viewings. Authentic-feeling old footage that many other productions can learn from. Fav scene: the reveal of the neighbor sneaking in the house was when we start realizing, Twin Peaks-esque, that we really didn't know much about Alice PALMER herself.
Rated 15 Aug 2021
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 21 Oct 2019
4
70th
Like Pulse, a ghost story that's far more creepy and sad than outright scary: a disquieting portrait of how loneliness can reach out and touch anyone. Will stick to your bones after, assuming you have the patience for its measured, slow-burn pacing.
Rated 21 Oct 2019
guy-piranhaguy piranha
Rated 11 Sep 2017
65
54th
if nothing else, it's a testament to how far some creepy shots and white noise can take you, and how much more effective ambivalence and restraint are. i liked the way the "plot" slowly unraveled, although it took off the edge with its solution. it will surely bore the hell out of the popcorn-horror-lot that wants to get jumpscared for 90 minutes and then forget everything as soon as the credits roll. go to a theme park haunted house if you wanna scream and giggle ffs...
Rated 11 Sep 2017
albinoalbino
Rated 17 Jun 2016
30
2nd
Really bad all around, about half the movie is irrelevant to the story
Rated 17 Jun 2016
easydiffeasydiff
Rated 13 May 2014
94
98th
A brilliant horror documentary, with its one jump scare rightfully earned.
Rated 13 May 2014
wezzoWezzo
Rated 21 Feb 2013
71
30th
Part emotional character study, part creepy ghost story. Neither is entirely successful, but it's enjoyable nonetheless.
Rated 21 Feb 2013
dsaosdsaos
Rated 03 Oct 2012
61
20th
A bit too meditative for my tastes. And the fact that it only has one recycled scare tactic that's beaten like a dead horse (even *after* they debunk the main cause of it!) doesn't help.
Rated 03 Oct 2012
sophiesophie
Rated 25 Jun 2012
35
15th
... rather boring.
Rated 25 Jun 2012
rocketluccoRocketlucco
Rated 18 Apr 2012
65
57th
Overall Enjoyment: 25/40, Plot/Themes: 15/20, Cinematography/Direction: 15/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20 A unique and interesting horror story. Drags a bit in the middle, but is well worth a watch. Very creepy atmosphere.
Rated 18 Apr 2012
lostinlodoslostinlodos
Rated 27 Jul 2010
52
16th
I'm growing rather tired of the modernised version of documentary style horror. It worked well in the 60s and 70s and EVEN THE 80s because the film equipment was poor enough to make it look real. The art of the fake docuhorror is lost on modern times
Rated 27 Jul 2010
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 17 Apr 2010
35
28th
not so good
Rated 17 Apr 2010
crankycranky
Rated 10 Apr 2010
22
8th
Poor. Waste of time.
Rated 10 Apr 2010
stflyst_fly
Rated 30 Dec 2009
6
13th
Boring. This mockumentary about supernatural events in a small Australian town aims to be both disturbing and profound but fizzles out around the 20 min mark mainly due to the repetitive narrative and ends up lacking both scares and profundity. Not recommended.
Rated 30 Dec 2009
anilscnanilscn
Rated 11 Aug 2024
45
38th
efsane başlamıştı aslında. Yazık
Rated 11 Aug 2024
movie_houseMovie House
Rated 10 Mar 2024
30
11th
Once was enough.
Rated 10 Mar 2024
pistolpetePistolPete
Rated 26 Feb 2024
35
4th
Thought I'd enjoy this one. I wanted to like this, but felt completely detached and uninvested throughout. I can dig a slow burn, but this was boring. Some scenes were well done, but not enough to go above a 3.5.
Rated 26 Feb 2024
chevanChevan
Rated 08 Dec 2023
80
30th
the editing
Rated 08 Dec 2023
feublofeublo
Rated 14 Oct 2023
60
17th
Great faux doc, but definitely misses out on a tighter story that would've been more intriguing towards the end. Very believable with the aesthetic, just did not resonate with it's psychological horror attempt.
Rated 14 Oct 2023
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 30 Sep 2023
75
72nd
This is a slow, subtle horror movie made in the style of a documentary. It creates a chilling atmosphere with giving you just glimpses of something eerie or using dialogue to push the uneasy sense of something bad lingering around. Really liked it, how slow it was, how it didn't have to rely on gore and jump scares (though there is one) to work the horror. Very creepy and very sad at the same time.
Rated 30 Sep 2023
riverbelleRiverbelle
Rated 14 May 2023
30
3rd
I have so many questions, number 1, what the hell?
Rated 14 May 2023
taurus1982taurus1982
Rated 01 Apr 2023
15
8th
Complete waste of time. Totally uninteresting and not scary in the slightest. "Overrated" would be an incredible understatement.
Rated 01 Apr 2023
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 30 Mar 2023
59
14th
"Lake Mungo" is a picture perfect facsimile of a paranormal true story, it's equal parts family drama, mystery, and blurry footage that people try to tell you are supernatural. I don't watch the real deal on Syfy, so why would I watch a fake that is no more compelling?
Rated 30 Mar 2023
cetincelikcetincelik
Rated 21 Jan 2023
88
87th
2023'de #IzlediğimFilmler ; 9. Lake Mungo (2008) Uzun zamandır ertelemekle ne kadar hata etmişim. Tam bir hazine. Ne yazık ki filmin yönetmeni sırra kadem basmış :( 9/10
Rated 21 Jan 2023
neonmanNeonman
Rated 20 Nov 2022
83
74th
If you're like me and have a boner for creepypastas, especially ones benefiting from the murkiness and graininess of '00s era consumer cameras, then this is absolutely for you. An understated horror film that uses the visual landscape of home recordings to its creepy potential (right up to the end-credits), all the while musing on how the living respond emotionally to ghosts, including their joy and their reluctance.
Rated 20 Nov 2022
mojojoestarMojoJoestar
Rated 07 Mar 2022
65
40th
Nothing really amazing, but very atmospheric.
Rated 07 Mar 2022
rihreyrihrey
Rated 08 Feb 2022
48
51st
It's fine but it was quite boring to me tbh
Rated 08 Feb 2022
trash_puppetTrash Puppet
Rated 19 Nov 2021
4
16th
Some carelessness with the "older footage"; people wearing the same clothing etc. The twists were so glossed over by everyone they felt silly. Also, we don't film that much shit nowadays let alone back in 2005.
Rated 19 Nov 2021
jbynjbyn
Rated 30 Oct 2021
56
16th
I would not be surprised if this turned out to be a real documentary because of how authentic it was done. The sound design creates a tense atmosphere. Apart from this, it felt more like playing Where's Waldo than a horror film
Rated 30 Oct 2021
quintonjaminQuintonjamin
Rated 07 Oct 2021
70
66th
Pretty unnerving and a cool story.
Rated 07 Oct 2021
smallbirdsmallbird
Rated 22 Jul 2021
45
13th
Quite slow paced and not that much that happens with supposed chills at the end though it falls quite flat.
Rated 22 Jul 2021
unknownkogerunknownkoger
Rated 15 May 2021
80
18th
This was definitely enjoyable. Worth watching to the end
Rated 15 May 2021
heynicefilmHeyNiceFilm
Rated 09 May 2021
67
26th
Interesting mockumentary-style horror film. It does the Blair Witch/Paranormal Activity thing without feeling too much like a trope or becoming a self-parody. It's a thin line (that it pushes towards the end).
Rated 09 May 2021
drunkcrowdrunkcrow
Rated 17 Mar 2021
76
38th
Enjoyable but felt more like a tv murder mystery
Rated 17 Mar 2021
gabrielpGabriel_p
Rated 28 Jun 2020
65
33rd
Effective low budget creepiness.
Rated 28 Jun 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 08 Jun 2020
47
34th
Well acted, ocassionally creepy, and there is a strong story of grief to be told, but not enough here overall. The found footage sequences lost their appeal halfway through.
Rated 08 Jun 2020
pianosamaPianoSama
Rated 15 Nov 2019
65
45th
A slow-burn horror featuring strong performances, eerie atmosphere & good use of the mockumentary style, it packs a number of twists & turns to keep things interesting & never reveals too much too soon. The plot is interesting, the mystery is intriguing, & the characters are very fleshed out & convincing. However, it also suffers from just how slow-paced it is, often dragging quite a bit, & not all of the twists really work very well. Overall, it is worth a look, but it won't be for everybody.
Rated 15 Nov 2019
amerigoamerigo
Rated 06 Nov 2019
76
41st
A poor man's Twin Peaks as told through a faux-cumentary. Very, very slow. The Blair Witch Project this isn't.
Rated 06 Nov 2019
braddad68braddad68
Rated 02 Jul 2019
90
52nd
Compelling and creepy documentary.
Rated 02 Jul 2019
moncliviemonclivie
Rated 10 Nov 2018
80
71st
It terrified me in a way a few horrors ever did, but not with a jump scare. With a slow motion zoom! Three times! That's an achievement.
Rated 10 Nov 2018
anarchyintcanarchyintc
Rated 16 May 2018
90
89th
Pant shitter material right here.
Rated 16 May 2018
troothTrooth
Rated 08 May 2018
65
39th
It's kind of laughable how often in this movie you'll see instances of the twist "That ghost footage was actually doctored/a different person/otherwise falsified," to the point you'll start to wonder if there even is anything supernatural going on in the plot at all.
Rated 08 May 2018
dumptruk4lifDumptruk4Lif
Rated 15 Aug 2015
88
67th
A horror movie filled to the brim with loose ends and unsolved plot holes, but boy is it creepy. It took a while to get the scenes with the ghost images out of my head as I attempted to go to sleep in the wee hours of the night. Unfortunately what makes the movie creepy also makes it not so great because so many ideas and plot twists are piled on and then not followed through that the mystery of it is effective, but it also seems to be done out of sloppiness.
Rated 15 Aug 2015
woodoowoodoo
Rated 06 Aug 2014
100
97th
Incredible homage to Twin Peaks and quite possibly the best movie about ghosts I've ever seen. Not exactly a horror movie but has the best jump scare of all time.
Rated 06 Aug 2014
axleblazeaxleblaze
Rated 19 Oct 2013
92
86th
Really god damned creepy but at the same time not entirely satisfying.
Rated 19 Oct 2013
caimancaiman
Rated 04 Jul 2013
71
40th
Relies way too much on blurry figures appearing in the background of photos. In fact, that was pretty much the entirety of the scares. I also didn't care for the plot turn halfway through: it killed the movie's momentum, bringing things to a halt and the movie never really caught up again. The whole last act was basically an attempt to recapture the energy of the first act. But with all that said, the movie did have some effectively creepy moments, and I really liked the faux documentary style.
Rated 04 Jul 2013
payenspayens
Rated 12 Jun 2013
77
54th
One of the most scariest scenes I've ever seen is on this movie. And it's an overall good movie, with good script and cinematography and decent acting.
Rated 12 Jun 2013
gokcanzgokcanz
Rated 26 Oct 2012
66
46th
* Casting, Acting : 5 * Script : 6 * Directing, Aura : 8 * Ease of Viewing : 7 * Naked Eye : 7
Rated 26 Oct 2012
yawkcorbyawkcorb
Rated 30 Mar 2012
60
14th
Takes quite a long time for the story to begin to solidify, and when it does, it is actually not that interesting. The actors are great, but they can't save the dragging, and frankly boring, plot.
Rated 30 Mar 2012
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 11 Feb 2012
35
19th
I get found footage montage style horror movies but making them work is trickier than filmmakers tend to think. Lake Mungo is lazier than most with its heavy reliance on talking-heads mockumentary and yes, slow zoom-ins on blurry photos. It's cheap and really snuffs out any chance of creepiness for the most part. The plot meanders and wastes a lot of time on blind alleys. There was one moment, late on, when it seemed like scary stuff was starting to happen, but the movie was over a wink later.
Rated 11 Feb 2012
sieghardtSieghardt
Rated 05 Nov 2011
55
44th
On one hand it's a very weak horror story but on the other hand it's somewhat effective because it's relatively believeable. It's a great film to watch at the start of a night before watching other horror films because it bolsters your suspension of disbelief
Rated 05 Nov 2011
glmglm
Rated 28 Feb 2011
71
46th
70.750
Rated 28 Feb 2011
harukoHaruko
Rated 13 Nov 2010
73
61st
It was some what slow, but I liked the pseudo-dokumentary style and they made it work quite well. Ali's story had a Laura Palmer vibe to it and the mobile video was super eerie!
Rated 13 Nov 2010
lupisterlupister
Rated 16 Aug 2010
55
58th
good premise, so so execution. The documentary aspect of it takes away any possibility of real suspense.
Rated 16 Aug 2010
lennyneroLennyNero
Rated 29 Jul 2010
65
50th
It gets more and more absurd the longer it goes on and the majority of the "twists" just lead to nowhere but the movie is scary and that's something most of the horror movies don't achieve nowadays.
Rated 29 Jul 2010
spokowapSpokoWap
Rated 16 Apr 2010
64
39th
Calkiem calkiem...
Rated 16 Apr 2010

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