_Martyrs Lane_ is a melancholic ghost story about Leah, a 10-year-old who lives in a large house with her family. Her mother seems cold and distant towards her and she's doing everything she can to get closer to her. One night, she's visited by a mysterious guest and each night she's given a task that reveals why her mother is the way she is. It's a compelling exploration of grief and acceptance, how buried past can affect the present. It's like watching Del Toro early works. Plays out more as a drama and scaring the audience isn't the main focus. It can get too slow and the reveal is easy to predict early on but it manages to make up for it with interesting characters. Some lovely visuals and terrific performances from the child actors. While it's predictable, it's still an enjoyable experience.

Martyrs Lane is a heavy, drama-first horror that is carried on the small shoulders of Kiera Thompson and Sienna Sayer even if it is awkwardly paced and a little drawn out for my tastes. Great performances from both of the leads, making the stories emotional heft really nail the landing. Definitely feels like a movie that will benefit from a second viewing as knowing the finale may unearth hidden meanings in the build up which would have gone over my head. Overall, a sad moving tale that waits until the closing minutes to fully pull back the veil, something slow burn horror/drama lovers will delight in. Worthy of a watch, really solid stuff.

It's an okay horror movie up until the last 15 minutes when you suddenly realize, oh, it's one of _those_ movies. [spoiler]_It's mental illness, innit._[/spoiler] I really wish they would stop categorizing [spoiler]depression allegory[/spoiler] movies as horror movies...

Thought provoking and moving ghost story.