Echo Valley? Steven says 3/5

Apple TV+ invited us for an exclusive first look at their new original film, Echo Valley, starring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney, who made a surprise appearance at the screening, adding extra excitement to the event.

The film centers around Kate (Moore), a mother coping with the recent loss of her wife and attempting to reconnect with her daughter, Claire (Sweeney). Things take a sharp turn when Claire arrives home unexpectedly, covered in someone else’s blood, prompting Kate to dive headfirst into protective mode.

During the screening, there was a palpable moment when the audience collectively straightened up in their seats. Clearly, the film’s twists landed. Although the narrative itself isn’t particularly fresh or groundbreaking, Moore and Sweeney deliver powerful performances that create a compelling mother-daughter dynamic.

However, the film suffers from occasional lapses in logic, leaving viewers (me) puzzled by moments that simply don’t add up. Additionally, abrupt scene transitions feel disjointed, at times so jarring that they seemed like editing errors. This story might have benefited from being developed into a limited series, allowing for deeper exploration of characters and a more satisfying pacing.

To fully enjoy Echo Valley, you’ll need to suspend disbelief and lean into its cinematic magic. Ultimately, the film provides an engaging watch with enough twists and turns to maintain interest but falls short of offering anything truly innovative.

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