Lake Mungo ★★★

PERHAPS the Australian horror film Lake Mungo would have had more impact on its original 2008 release.

Joel Anderson’s film had been on my watch list for a while due to regular recommendations.

But I think it’s mockumentary style would have been more effective if there hadn’t been so many other subsequent examples.

The other disappointing aspect is that, unfortunately, it is sometimes creepy but rarely frightening.

This is not to take away from the technical skill with which the film has been well made.

It follows a family in a small rural town who are  trying to come to terms with the death of their 16-year-old daughter in a drowning accident.

The film is presented as a documentary being made by a local television news channel, including interviews with the teenager’s family members who are all experiencing supernatural occurrences.

The threads of the story include a local psychic and a suspect neighbour as the family start to believe their daughter may be trying to tell them what exactly happened to her.

It’s an intriguing tale, well paced and acted, but I would have preferred a few more scares along the journey.

Watched on Shudder.