Echo Valley (2025)

Plot Summary: Grieving widow Kate Garrett (J. Moore) struggles to keep her Pennsylvania horse farm afloat after losing her wife. When her estranged, drug-addicted daughter Claire (S. Sweeney) returns bloodied and in distress, a gripping thriller unfolds as Kate fights to protect her child, confronting escalating danger, moral dilemmas, and the lengths a mother will go to save her kids.

Director: Michael Pearce
Screenplay: Brad Ingelsby
Producers: Brad Ingelsby, Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Kevin J. Walsh
Music: Jed Kurzel
Cinematography: Benjamin Kračun

Starring:
Julianne Moore as Kate Garrett
Sydney Sweeney as Claire Garrett
Domhnall Gleeson as Jackie
Kyle MacLachlan as Richard Garrett
Fiona Shaw as Jessie Oliver
Edmund Donovan as Ryan

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

Cheese, Wine and Echo Valley

Alright, so picture this. It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon, our bellies full of Bacalhau com Natas after a lovely lunch at grandma’s house. We’re feeling fancy, cheese and wine in hand, scrolling through movie covers like it’s Blockbuster in 2005. Out of ten random titles, Echo Valley stood out thanks to Julianne Moore giving us that "I’m about to act the sh*t out of this" stare on the poster. And yes, we picked right. What you get is moody and beautiful cinematography. The fireworks scene by the lake? Stunning. Add in some dark atmospheric music, and a plot that sneaks up on you in just the right way. There are a few quiet twists, the tone is heavy, and the ending literally leaves the door open. Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney absolutely deliver, with performances strong enough to make us forget we were halfway through a block of Queijo da Serra.

I just found out that the writer is Brad Ingelsby, the writer of the awesome HBO series Mare of Easttown that I can't recommend enough. Love the show

What Would You Do?

This movie hit my wife so hard she turned to me mid-scene and asked, “What would you do if our daughter did this?” I’ll be honest. I said I’d tell her to f*ck off and pretend she was dead. Cold? Maybe. But after watching those tricks, I was ninety percent sure. Actually, scratch that. Let’s say eighty. Damn it, this movie really messes with your moral compass in all the best and worst ways. It’s one of those psychological parent-nightmare stories that makes you squirm in your seat. There are no big explosions or convenient plot twists here. Just the chilling question of what happens when your own child walks into the kitchen, covered in someone else's mess, and asks for help.

Domhnall Gleeson, The Irish Wild Card

Let’s talk about Domhnall Gleeson. Sometimes his performance screamed "psycho with a plan," and other times it felt more like an evil IKEA manager who forgot what aisle he was in. Something about the hostage scene didn’t quite land. Maybe the character wasn’t unhinged enough, or maybe the writing just gave up halfway through. It felt like the screenwriter took a coffee break and never came back. That said, Domhnall has his moments. When he is face to face with Emma and trying to swallow his egomaniacal, psychopathic pride, it’s genuinely unsettling. You really want to see him get what’s coming. And thankfully, you do. One last note. A lot of people on IMDb are fuming over how the mother never truly punishes her daughter. And yeah, it is a bit wild. But some mothers really would burn the world down for their kids. No doubt about that. If you're in the mood for something tense, emotional and a little morally murky, Echo Valley is well worth your time.

🎥 Cinematography (8/10):

The fireworks and nightmare scene alone scored big for me. Beautiful and haunting visuals throughout.

📖 Story (8/10):

The plot hits hard emotionally and morally, with strong pacing and a twist that actually twists.

🎬 Direction (7/10):

Tight control of tone, tension, and atmosphere. Keeps you uncomfortable in all the right ways.

👥 Characters (6/10):

Mother and daughter feel real, layered, and tragic. The antagonist feels undercooked, not enough crazy or motive to fully buy in.

💥 Visual Effects (6/10):

Not an FX-heavy film. Some well made big fire scene.

🎭 Acting (6/10):

Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney deliver excellent performances. Domhnall Gleeson is hit-and-miss, compelling in parts, flat in others.

💬 Dialogue (6/10):

Nothing too flashy, but believable and grounded. Emotional beats hit well, but lacks a few more memorable or quotable moments.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (8/10):

One of the film’s biggest strengths. The rural, tense, claustrophobic feel of the house and surroundings adds to the psychological pressure.

🎵 Music (9/10):

Dark, ambient score that fits the mood perfectly and elevate key scenes.

😄 Entertainment Value (9/10):

A compelling watch with enough tension and drama to keep you engaged. Can leave a mark and sparks debate.