The Thriller With a Strong Early Tarantino Vibe Comes to Hulu This April
In a mood for unlikely allies going on a road trip? Mark your calendars. This one is an unfairly overlooked gem.
The most exciting thing about movies for me is when they refuse to fit into little boxes and specific genres. There's truly nothing better than a story that can make you laugh, cry and keep you on the edge of your seat. Such films, however, are pretty rare these days, and some of them are highly overlooked.
This brings me to a movie I want to talk about right now. Lake George (2024) is that kind of rare film that has everything in it and doesn't get lost with its genre-blending at all. In fact, it brings a perfect balance of dark humor, suspense, and unexpected heart to the screen.
Lake George Is A Wild Ride Worth Taking
Directed and written by Jeffrey Reiner, this thriller takes us on a ride with Don (Shea Whigham) and a woman he was supposed to kill, Phyllis (Carrie Coon). These two absolutely shouldn't work together, but they do just perfectly.
The chemistry between Whigham and Coon is absolutely on a whole other level. Their characters are so different and that makes for a great dynamic as they compliment each other through and through.
And Carrie Coon takes the spotlight for me. She does an amazing job as a female lead I never knew I needed. As Brandon Yu (The New York Times) wrote:
“It’s Coon’s charming performance of the eccentric victim-to-be that brings the film, written and directed by Jeffrey Reiner, into fuller focus as a crime comedy.”
Lake George Accidentally Achieved Tarantino and Coen Brothers Vibe
Yes, Lake George is so good, people actually started comparing it to the best of the best. As Redditor vesche wrote:
“[I] absolutely love to find a movie like this. I highly recommend Lake George. Felt like watching an early Tarantino or early Coen brothers film.”
And I have to agree. Lake George feels both fresh and familiar at the same time.
To me, the movie gives off strong Tarantino vibes, especially in how it handles its dialogue and character dynamics. But don't get me wrong, it's not trying to copy anyone's style. It's doing its own thing (and doing it really well).
One thing that really caught me off guard was how emotionally invested I got in these characters. Don and Phyllis are messy people who make questionable choices. But somehow that makes them even more relatable and interesting to watch.
So mark your calendars because this hidden gem deserves a watch or two. Lake George comes to Hulu on April 15th.
