Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Caddo Lake’

10/10/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Dylan O’Brien as Paris in Celine Held and Logan George’s CADDO LAKE. (Photo Courtesy of Max.)

We are taught from a very early age that loss is part of life, and because of that, we are also taught… that we should let it go as quickly as possible. Because a constant doesn’t require our attention for all that long, so it is best to grieve, and move on and so many of us work to follow that advice. For it does have merit. After all, the world does continue to run while we deal with loss and there are still bills to pay, so why not forge ahead and let time heal those wounds? But unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for us to come to understand that such lessons are flawed in nature, and that grief as a result of loss, isn’t something we can easily wave away. Simply because, we all grieve in such different ways.

For instance, there are some who can handle this in a quick and breezy nature, but so many cannot. For some folks, need real time to process the pain and the shock of losing someone and there are some out there, who it sticks with for years. For reasons that vary from person to person, but these are the folks that require support and grace, and understanding, and in some cases, a blueprint on how to heal because of how much the pain devastates them. And believe it or not, storytelling is one way to make that happen, since folks can find what they need within the framework of a story, and even learn how their grief works and how it impacts others in the process, and it just so happens that a powerful film now on Max, offers up a fascinating look at grief and its power, while providing folks with a unique blueprint on how to overcome it when the pain doesn’t go away.

A feat that Caddo Lake accomplishes by plunging us into the lives to two individuals living with a form of grief. There’s Paris, a man who recently lost his mother and is simply beside himself. In fact, he is so broken by her loss that his life has come to a standstill. To the point where all his future plans are on hold, and he can barely function. Plus, there’s Ellie, a young woman that is eager to forge her own path, but loss in her family has made her mother supremely protective and supremely controlling, and that has stunted her progress in life, and the situation only grows more dire from there when Ellie’s stepsister goes missing. For it puts her mother into a tailspin that prompts Ellie to join the search and that sets in motion quite the surprise for both Ellie and Paris. For all those people in the lake, searching for that little girl, helps to reveal that perhaps, this place has properties that could heal everyone that’s wounded or at least… offer clarity regarding their pain.

Eliza Scanlen as Ellie in Celine Held and Logan George’s CADDO LAKE. (Photo Courtesy of Max.)

Which is the perfect way to explore those key elements we made mention of a moment ago. Because that is a plot that does indeed showcase what grief looks like in an extreme manner, and how a lack of resolution of it can bring about some tough days, with Paris showcasing the worst-case scenario for the individual. Since he is indeed a lost soul in this story, one that goes through his day with the weight of loss upon his shoulders and no idea how to reconcile it. Whereas Ellie’s journey showcases how grief can freeze everyone in our lives. Since her mother has locked everyone into a moment in time that they cannot escape from, and don’t want to, because they want to support her and lift her up. Which makes for some powerful moments we don’t often see in film, and they are also important to the story and the healing process, because we must know of a negative impact before we find a way forward.

Which the film explores in stunning detail here. For as Paris and Ellie spend time on the lake, they come to discover so much about themselves and their lives, the kind of stuff that speaks deeply to how we heal from grief. Such as how we have to come understand how we are not at fault for those we lose, and that we truly have no control over their loss, and that we should honor them by living in the moment, rather than holding onto that pain. For that is everything they would want from us. As to how they come to that understanding through the lake and its strange nature, we won’t reveal here. Because you need to experience that journey firsthand because it is cleverly crafted and wonderfully stunning. Courtesy of a brilliant script and brilliant direction from Celine Held and Logan George.

Who have also brought together a film that has more to offer. For this is that rare film that has something for everyone, because it does incorporate mystery, and science fiction concepts into the story to give those looking for entertainment value something to enjoy. All of which brings forth, a powerful feature, one that truly does explore grief in a refreshing and unique light, while also entertaining and wowing us with amazing ideas and engaging twists and turns. Plus, the acting here is excellent and sells the moment and the emotion needed to help us understand grief and that makes this riveting and intelligent film an absolute much-watch. Because you cannot go wrong with a film that entertains and teaches in a dynamic and original manner.

Watch ‘Caddo Lake’

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