SHADOWS OF WILLOW CABIN (2025)

3 stars

GrimmVision. Digital. 29th June.

At a remote cabin Albert (Bryan Bellomo) arrives. He used to come there when he was younger which will figure in the plot in some way. He is waiting, somewhat anxiously, for Devon (John Brodsky) – a younger man – who finally arrives. This is the first time they have met in person.

Apparently Albert’s uncle, who owned the cabin, committed suicide there and it is now a rental property. (I bet they don’t put that on the listing!). As they get to know each other, the nervous Albert, who is actually married with a kid, starts to see odd things. A person in the car outside. Strange sounds. Visions in mirrors. Maybe the place is haunted? Or is it the stress of Albert living a lie.

Is he imagining it or is it real? But then Devon starts to see odd things also…

Whilst the dialogue feels natural and the two leads are excellent, writer/director Joe Fria doesn’t seem to be able to decide whether he is making a study of a repressed man discovering his true identity or a supernatural ghost story. The film is too long at nearly two hours and overly talky – it is nicely shot by David Haverty but the music by Michael Teoli is laid on a bit thick at times. It is more about the relationship, between a closeted older man, who can’t admit his sexuality, and a younger man he met on an app, than any ghostly goings on – that is until it ramps up about two thirds of the way through. It ultimately leads to a poor ending.

Steve Kirkham