A coming-of-age romance with some ghostly undertones and an eerie ending, Falcon Lake is a dynamic movie filled with quiet moments that linger on the viewer's subconscious. The feature debut of Charlotte Le Bon, Falcon Lake feels like if Call Me By Your Name was directed by Catherine Breillat. It's a captivating tale of first love, with hidden secrets that aren't revealed until the very end. The scenery at the lake house where most of the film takes place is exquisite, creating an unmistakable atmosphere that helps add to the provocative nature of this film.
Le Bon both wrote the script for Falcon Lake alongside François Choquet and directed the film, which follows a 14-year-old Bastien (Joseph Engel) as he and his family travel to a lake house in Quebec for the summer. There, he meets 16-year-old Chloé (Sara Montpetit), who is also staying at the lake house with her family. Chloé tends to hang out with older boys, but she finds telling Bastien ghost stories to be more appealing. Soon, Chloé and Bastien develop a strong bond, and somewhat of a budding romance. However, the ghostly nature of the lake threatens the very existence of the star-crossed teens.
Falcon Lake isn't a horror film, rather, it's a slice-of-life story depicting two teens at a very transformative time in their lives. While the ending suggests that something more supernatural is at play, the ghost story elemnents rooted in the movie are handled subtly. Falcon Lake is about feeling, but in a way that doesn't explain anything, and all the events are depicted through the atmosphere and the emotional state of the characters. The film is pleasant for most of its runtime, but there is an unsettling quality that lingers over the entire film, letting the audience something is looming.
Le Bon clearly has a distinct, cinematic eye. The cinematography of the film feels alive, as if the viewer has stepped into a painting. The main performances from Engel and Montpetit are understated and alive, creating characters that feel like they could be the neighbor's kids. Everything about Falcon Lake is authentic, but there is also a dreamlike quality about it that separates it from other coming-of-age films.
It's never clear where this film is heading, and when it gets to its destination, the viewer may be left with a big lump in their chest and an undeniable feeling of existentialism. Falcon Lake is a perfect meditation on love and death, but it never feels the need to shove its meaning down the viewer's throat. Some audience members may find this film pretentious or boring, but it's a beautiful piece of cinema that showcases life in a truly unique way.
If you are seeking a frightening horror film with horrifying ghosts, Falcon Lake isn't that kind of film. However, if a subtle foray into young love that slowly descends into the supernatural sounds promising, then Falcon Lake will certainly be worth the price of admission. Overall, Charlotte Le Bon showcases her chops behind the camera brilliantly in a slow-burn genre-bender that will trigger deep-rooted emotions in audiences.
Falcon Lake hits select theaters nationwide on June 2, before a digital release on June 13.