Nerdly » ‘Mercy Falls’ Review

18th Sep2023

‘Mercy Falls’ Review

by Kevin Haldon

Stars: Lauren Lyle, Layla Kirk, Joe Rising, James Watterson, Eoin Sweeney, Nicolette McKeown | Written by Ryan Hendrick, Meliá Grasska | Directed by Ryan Hendrick

Going into this review, I don’t think I have much to say about Mercy Falls other than, with all respect to the cast and crew, you all came together and made a movie. Not a great one mind you but I have never made a movie so I respect the achievement.

Although, if the idea of a horror/thriller set in the Scottish Highlands from a director whose previous project was a Christmas movie tickles your fancy, I guess Mercy Falls would be the exact kind of movie you need in your life. Or if like me you are acutely aware that every now and then when taking a punt on an indie horror, it has turned out to be a bit of an unsung gem, who knows? This one might just be for you.

Rhona (Lauren Lyle) has been left a cabin by her recently deceased father. She has convinced a group of friends to make the trek to find the cabin of which she has very little recollection of. well apart from that one time her dad killed a horse in front of her. Joined by her “best friend” Heather (Layla Kirk) who has brought another friend, Donnie (Joe Rising) in the hopes he and Rhona hit it off. Heather’s boyfriend Scott (James Watterson) also tags along. Then we have Andy (Eoin Sweeney) who is kind of a knob.

On the way to the trail, they stop for some drinks where Andy pours his on Heather so she heads to the toilet to clean up. Here she meets Carla (Nicolette McKeown) and has what can only be described as an awkward almost lesbian kind of situation. Turns out Carla might know her way around these parts so becomes their guide (of sorts). Not long into our journey Andy does himself a little bit of a mischief, Carla claims to be able to help but ends up killing him. In an act self-preservation, she turns it onto the group and blames them as they poop their pants and try to run away. This is when we realise what I think we already knew… Carla is basically Jane Rambo and this is her house.

First up, Mercy Falls is super-tropey and doesn’t really want or try to reinvent the wheel. Which is absolutely fine and for the most part what this movie is doing, it is doing it well. Our cast is doing what they can with what they have but I didn’t really think the script or the cast had much to work with. What I will say though is director Ryan Hendrick shows a ton of promise, the movie is well shot, and I like what he got out of the locations and genuinely feel like there is a better movie in here from him.

Cast-wise Nicolette Mckeown is pretty darn good once she starts shifting through the gears and she comes across as an actual threat to our cast. There in lies another issue though, I wasn’t sure how to feel about some of these characters, I found myself feeling a little sorry for the bulk of them (including Carla) while also kind of just not caring.

I don’t want this review to sway you in any way with regard to your choice to watch Mercy Falls. This cast and crew put their hearts into the movie and that’s one of the things that really shines through. It’s well made, reasonably well-paced and sticks to the blueprint. As for me, I just didn’t quite make the connection with the flick, but others will.