As she does every summer, Sam takes a group of friends to accompany her on a retreat to the cottage she grew up in. On this year's trip, Sam and her friends are faced with the terrifying legend of Sam's Lake.
Slow start and then it got going with a very unexpected terror plotline.
Deidra C. (Deidra670) from GARRETT, KY Reviewed on 9/28/2010...
You never know what you're going to get with a low budget horror film. Could be so-so, or it could suck, or it could be awesome!! SAM'S LAKE is so cool!! It starts out just like a zillion other horror movies. A group of friends go to the woods to get away (is it like written in stone that every low budget horror must start out in the woods?) and take it easy. And just when you're sure you know exactly what's going on, SAM'S LAKE throws one hell of a twist that I didn't see coming in any shape, fashion or form.
Gore hounds, this one isn't for you. There isn't any special effects either. But what it DOES have is a story. A real live plot that makes sense. What a rare thing is that nowadays!! And the supense and tension is thick. I absolutely loved it!!
The only reason I didn't give SAM'S LAKE five stars was the sappy sweet first fifteen minutes they made me suffer through. But that only made the payoff that much more satisfying. Dip your toe in SAM'S LAKE. You'll jump in.
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Far more than I expected
Horror Buff | Hickory, NC | 05/26/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I sometimes wonder if I'm watching the same movie as some reviewers. This is not a slasher flick, and there's virtually none of the blood or gore that usually comes with it. While there are death scenes, most are not graphic, but this does not distract from the movie at all. In fact, the film almost passes for a major motion picture, from the quality of the camera work, to competent acting and terrific scenery.
The storyline involves a group of young people getting away to a cabin in the quiet countryside, where legend has it a murderer has been been at large since killing his family decades earlier. It does make a nice back story, and sets the tone for a nice twist that I did not see coming that ultimately changes the tone of the movie (in a good way). There is a good deal of suspense and tension, and several scenes are simply delightfully creepy without the presence of any blood, spooks, or demons. This is not visceral horror. Rather, it is that rare treat that uses the actual tale to create a mood. It's a nice change of pace from the torture and mayhem that have passed for thrillers recently."
Horror Freak
Jo Hegedus | Western North Carolina | 09/25/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Sam's Lake" is a new additon to my huge collection of horror flicks. When I read the reviews on Amazon I new I wanted it & could hardly wait for delivery. It will keep some guessing who the killer is. A short ways into the movie I had my suspicions & I was right. The characters are portrayed as a group of friends who have gone to Sam's Lake for a few days for rest & peace & quiet, away from the hustle & noise of the city life. Things start happening shortly into the movie & continue throughout the entire film until it ends. I think anyone who likes a suspenseful horror movie will appreciate it."
Great suspense film
Berni in NY | New York, NY | 01/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw this movie during the Tribeca Film Festival a few years ago and I don't understand why it was not released further in the US. It is an excellent suspense film that really made me jump several times and I have seen many suspense/horror movies that have failed to shake me. Though elements of the plot have been utilized in previous movies, the acting and cinematography are excellent in this film. The plot twist during the climax of the film completely caught me off guard (I won't give it away). If you love good supsense movies you will enjoy this movie. I would say suspense wise it is very comparable to Cape Fear. I completely disagree with the previous reviewer - if this movie was so bad, why was it featured at the Tribeca Film Festival?"
Very good Thriller From Lion's Gate
Anthony Richards | Wash DC | 04/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"when I saw the art cover I was thinking..ok this is gonna be another low budget movie, but boy was I wrong this was very good movie sure the movie was predictable, and has been done a hundred times, but what makes this one different is that i was extremely creepy, and even gave me a few jumps, and the prduction value was on point..can rival anything in theaters..this aint no low budget looking movies, which is surprising from Lions Gate considering the crap that they put out in the past, and the acting was for the most part excellent...all the charaters were extremey likable, and made you root for them in the end..these ren't a bunch of honey teens going in the woods getting killed...these are 20 someting actors, and they all did an excellent job...so if your in the mood for a very creepy..high budget DTV movie with excellent acting....look no farther Sam's Lake delievers...the only con that I have was that the story moved kinda slow, but that was to build character developement.......Lion's Gate coud have easily put this gem in theaters..with all the crap thats in there now....good job Lion's Gate you have done well with this movie.....excellent!!!...I deffinatly recomend this movie....very creepy"
Entertaining enough, with a couple of neat twists
Grimmy | MD USA | 05/26/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A low-budget scary movie that's low on gore but high on chills. Well, yeah, there *are* deaths, but nothing too graphic.
There's a major plot twist you may see coming, and it's a doozy. It's a fun enough scary movie. 3.5 stars."