Following the death of her partner Patty (Kristina Valada-Viars) nine months prior, Kate Garretson (Julianne Moore) faces challenging mornings in Michael Pearce’s engaging domestic thriller Echo Valley. As a horse rancher, Kate wakes up visibly affected by sadness, a theme poignantly captured through Benjamin Kracun’s cinematography. The film opens with a startled Kate, awakening from a nightmare, taking a deep breath, and eventually placing her feet on the soft rug beside her bed, setting a tone of heaviness that pervades her daily routines.
Patty’s sudden passing has profoundly affected Kate, who struggles to manage the expansive ranch in Chester, Pennsylvania. Grief prevents her from offering riding lessons, and financial strain hinders her ability to repair the barn roof. When her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney
The Bottom Line
Release date: Friday, June 13
With a screenplay by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), the film delves into maternal bonds and emotional betrayals, providing genuine thrills within its intimate narrative. Although Echo Valley features some surprising plot twists that push believability, the strong direction and engaging atmosphere, supported by well-performed roles, make it a compelling choice for streaming.
Pearce, known for his stylish reimagining of genres in previous works like Beast and Encounter, transforms Kate’s ranch from a sanctuary into a place shrouded in grief and desperation. Utilizing a muted color palette and haunting music by composer Jed Kurzel, the film’s emotional depth shines, particularly in the intense scenes highlighting the fraught relationship between Kate and Claire, each coping with their grief in their own way.
Claire appears as a bundle of nerves and half-truths upon returning to the ranch after a fight with her boyfriend, Ryan (Edmund Donovan), who has damaged her phone. While Kate is delighted to see her, she indulges Claire’s demands without probing deeper. This dynamic shifts when Claire requests money again, claiming she needs it for Ryan, driving tension between the two.
The real turning point occurs when Claire returns home with a body wrapped in plastic, claiming Ryan is dead after their latest altercation. Acting quickly, Kate assists in disposing of the corpse, becoming embroiled in a cover-up that leads her deeper into a conspiracy beyond her imagination. In addition to dealing with the repercussions of this incident, she must also confront her own grief, finding solace in moments with her friend Leslie (Fiona Shaw).
Echo Valley takes viewers through a gripping narrative filled with unexpected detours as Kate navigates her complicated relationship with her daughter. Although some plot elements feel contrived, the overall storytelling and direction ensure that the film remains engaging, so it ultimately delivers where it matters most.
Echo Valley
Delivers, despite some questionable turns.
Cast: Julianne Moore, Sydney Sweeney, Domhnall Gleeson, Fiona Shaw, Edmund Donovan, Albert Jones, Kyle MacLachlan
Director: Michael Pearce
Screenwriter: Brad Ingelsby
Rated R, 1 hour 23 minutes
