Mercy Falls

9/2/2023

Anyone remember the BBC “Merlin” series with Colin Morgan? Well, this is really just like an updated version of one of his adventures, only without the costumes, charm or dragons! We start with some lovely drone footage of the treetops before being introduced to “Rhona” (Lauren Lyle) who has assembled four of her friends to hike twenty-odd miles into the wilderness to find a remote cabin that she has inherited from her long-time estranged father. They haven’t a clue, but luckily “Carla” (Nicolette McKeown - who reminded me a lot of Rebecca Ferguson) is on hand and she offers to guide them on their quest. It turns out, though, that “Carla” has quite a psychologically malevolent streak and that “Rhona” and her mates are all rather fickle, shallow types - except, perhaps, “Scott” (James Watte

11/2/2023

**_Deep woods adventure/horror in the wilds of Scotland_** Five Brit youths pick up a stranger and embark on a two-day hike to a lost childhood cabin. After hostilities flare and tragedy strikes, will anyone make it back alive? “Mercy Falls” (2023) is a backwoods thriller with stunning Scottish scenery, which is worth the price of admission. Brunette Nicolette McKeown stands out in the cast as Carla, as far as acting and charisma go, while raven-haired Layla Kirk is the most voluptuous as Heather. It’s the latter's moral looseness that sparks what unfolds. I didn’t find blonde Lauren Lyle appealing as Rhona, but she fits the role of an unassuming female that needs to rise to the challenge in an unexpected life-or-death situation. As far as believability goes, freak accidents happe

2/9/2026

After being left a cabin remote cabin by her recently deceased father, Rhona (Lauren Lyle) and a group of friends set off into the Scottish Highlands to locate it. On their way they meet Carla (Nicolette McKeown), who convinces the group to let her be their guide. Once far from civilisation, an unforeseen tragedy befalls the group and one bad decision leads to suspicion, betrayal and murder. It’s clear director Ryan Hendrick have an undeniable love for the Highlands, with cinematographer John Rhodes weaving gorgeous shots into the tapestry of this story. Add to that the strong casting choices and this Scottish independent film is off to a good start. I feel it gets a little muddled in places – there appears to be no motive behind the antagonist’s actions other than their past. The in