Lavender - A Movie Review

We can overcome any bad memories.

Lavender is a 2016 film. After she sustains a head injury in a car accident, Jane has a hard time recalling memories. To improve her memory, she takes a trip with her family to her childhood home. Memories from the past reveal a haunting childhood secret.

One clever and eerie jump scare in Lavender had me afraid of what was under my bed. Lavender is a mix of a bad film that lacks depth but its conclusion embodies an essential message about moving on from the past.

Jane has been in a terrible car accident resulting in memory loss. She has also experienced trauma in her past. Abbie Cornish is stiff in her performance, lacking reactions to the situation. Aside from her acting, Jane does a brave thing to relive her past.

Jane is having relationship issues with her husband Alan (Diego Klattenhoff). The film sports familiar family drama tropes that we’ve seen in most films. Klattenhoff is too soft in all of his deliveries. More time should have been spent on the cast to help develop their characters.

Her young daughter, Alice (Lola Flanery) has very keen instincts for her age. Flanery was the best actress in the film. She was funny in her dialogue deliveries and gave her character a memorable personality.

The film also includes Justin Long. I was going to diminish his performance entirely because he was so out of place but that all changes by the end.

The story is so unconvincing in the first half. What car accident victim escapes from an awful wreck with no scratches, bruises, or injuries to her body? I said, ‘Yeah, right’ by that point.

Ed Gass-Donnelly directed a film about memory loss, a scary theme for anyone. What happens if we lose our memories? It's a psychological thriller that effectively explores the theme of confronting one's past and the lingering effects of trauma.

As underdeveloped as the story is Lavender has effective jump scares more a subtle scope. Jane’s nightmare is the creepiest part of the film. Who knew children crawling out from underneath a bed is terrifying? My grandmother’s bed is located right in the living room and we were dreading if something was under the bed.

Overdoing it at times, Lavender does its job with the horror. The music is quite unsettling but some scenes could have been quiet. It also steals from another famous horror film as a red balloon floats towards the main character.

Some of the camera work was a bit weird. There’s this one very long take on Jane’s face as she is staring at a picture. The impact of the car crash was done well as the motions turned slower. The cinematography and lighting choices enhance the haunting ambiance, with dark, foreboding visuals that keep viewers on edge throughout the movie.

Lavender is a somewhat confusing film, but the ending was conducted well. While it may have its share of weaknesses, the film ultimately manages to redeem itself by weaving a complex narrative that comes together in a satisfying and haunting manner.

Where Lavender truly shines is in its narrative structure and how it explores the concept of facing one's past. Don’t hide from the past. Letting bad memories deter you from living your best life is not good for you. Continue to make new memories.

Lavender is a film that may start off a bit confusing, but the ending is worth your time. It keeps you guessing throughout its run. Find Lavender on Netflix and watch it this October.