A couple come to a family cabin following a major life change to regroup and recuperate. Once there, voices are heard on the lake…
Written and directed by Abby Brenker and Ellyn Vander Wyden, Voices Carry is a slow, slow burn of a film that takes its time to set up the story and the voices on the lake. It takes its time at every turn, something that will work great for some and not so great for others. This viewer is usually into slow burn films, but this pushed the limits here. That being said, the story is interesting and will keep viewers watching even as it progresses quite slowly. The characters written work well, the lore (of sorts) works well too. The characters as written and directed feel real and human, like people one might know or meet when going to the countryside in the Northeast of the US. The work by the co-writers and co-directors is on point for what the story needs.
The cast here works well, so well that at times, it’s a wonder if the viewer is supposed to like some of them while others bring in sympathy but not 100%. These characters have layers of personality and humanity, some of them not as likable as the others, which makes them work quite well. Lead character Sam and her husband Jack are played by Gia Crovatin and Jeff Ayars with the two of them creating characters that are at times very likable and at others become a whole lot less so. Each of them plays this as naturally as can be with Crovatin having a slight edge on the performance front. Joining them and stealing a few scenes is Jeremy Holm as Henry, a mysterious neighbor who might know more than he should. The supporting cast works decently well, but I cannot say that their performances stole any scene or are particularly memorable unfortunately.
Working with and around the characters, the cinematography by Mauricio Vasquez is beautiful here. The use of the lake and the nature surrounding it is done fantastically well and gives the location as much space as the leads to be, to breath, and to create mystery. The work here is just right, with some post card perfect moments and some where the creep factor comes in just right.
Voices Carry is an uber slow burn of a film that some will absolutely adore, and others will be bored to sleep by. The performances and the cinematography shine here, each helping create a world that feels safe at first and eventually becomes creepier and creepier. While not entirely scary, the film does have some good goosebumps-inducing moments here and there. Given the fact that this is a directorial debut for both co-directors, it’s a solid first for them and for their audience that could have use a bit tighter editing if anything to make it completely stellar.