Movie ‘Lake Mungo’: an Australian thriller

By Connor de Bruler
debrulerc@mytjnow.com

I don’t think I’ve seen a film that scared me as much as Joel Anderson’s “Lake Mungo.” 

The Australian production was formally released in 2009, but only recently has it gained a wide audience in the United States. It was marketed with other foreign films such as Spain’s “Atrocious” and the homegrown “Yellowbrickroad.” “Lake Mungo,” however, wields a substantial amount of power compared to the recent onslaught of “found footage” movies. 

It is not so much of a found footage film as it is a faux-documentary. The story unfolds through the character’s interviews and backlogged, grainy photos and video footage. This storytelling device is not new. Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” were written as first-person narratives of accumulated letters and telegraph correspondences. 

The story’s main character, Ana Palmer, never actually has a single line of dialogue. We only see her in photographs and family vacation footage. The film begins with the prerequisite that Ana has drowned at a local swimming hole while on vacation with her family in the rural Australian town of Ararat. The authorities find her body after a daylong search. The director spares us no emotional or physical details of the tragedy. 

Once her death is established, Ana’s still grieving brother decides to continue pursuing his love for photography. Eventually, he starts lifting footage of ghostly images of Ana from all over the house. 

Anderson first leads us on a ghostly journey, crafting some amazing still shots of Ana’s ghost standing in the backyard and over her bed, and then steers away from the “Paranormal Activity” approach.  

The ghostly images are debunked, and Ana’s brother admits to fabricating them. After sorting through Ana’s things, her mother uncovers disturbing videotapes hidden inside the fireplace. Ana’s secret life is suddenly exposed and a new layer of shock and suspense is lathered onto the film. 

Soon, the brother leaves the house but keeps his camera’s running. The ghostly images are returning. This time there is no explanation. 

“Lake Mungo” completely soars above and beyond all preconceived notions of what a horror film must be. It’s not just an Australian “Paranormal Activity.” It is a completely original and profoundly disturbing work of art. 

My girlfriend held onto my arm throughout the entire film and could not fall asleep after we had seen it. 

There’s no real way to explain just how scary the film actually is. Nothing jumps out at the camera. There’s no blood, and there’s barely any music. The film’s terror comes in its storyline and plot twists. 

It’s also worth highlighting that the storyline actually comes full circle and doesn’t leave anything up for debate. 

“Lake Mungo” lacks nothing whether in the acting department, cinematography, storyline or plot. It’s a terrific film, and I give it two big thumbs up. 

If you’re interested in seeing it, the film is available on Netflix instant watch.