Writer/director Justin LaReau’s follow-up to A Demon Within is a melting pot of ideas. Urban legends, remote locations, past friendships, and a slasher are all squished together in Lantern’s Lane and the resulting soup isn’t that flavoursome.
Layla (Brooke Butler) has returned to her home town to meet up with an old friend, Missy (Ashley Doris). While she’s waiting for her to finish working in a bar, she sees a few faces from the past. One being Shana (Sydney Carvill), the younger sister of a school friend who died by suicide. Against her better judgement, Missy convinces Layla to go to Lantern’s Lane, a place they used to hang out that has all manner of mystery. Shana and another of their friends, Jason (Andy Cohen) go along, Jason being the designated driver for the night so the girls can party. Once they get to Lantern’s Lane, amongst the high jinks something very sinister begins happening.
Lantern’s Lane suffers from unoriginality, sure, but that’s not what sinks it. Not only does it take too long to get going, but when it does, there are a little too many false jump scares that lessen the effect of any actual fright that might happen later on. The actors do well with the material, but are let down by the stretches of logic and – particularly in the climax – unreal injury endurance!
None of the characters are particularly likeable and that’s a problem when we’re meant to be concerned for their outcome. The sound mix doesn’t help with build tension or believability, either, particularly in the opening scenes where the ambience is off. The fantastic location is not used to its potential but certainly looks great, which is a credit to the cinematographer Tate McCurdy.
Lantern’s Lane isn’t a complete right-off, but seasoned horror fans are suggested to look elsewhere.
Lantern’s Lane is released theatrical/VOD in the US on November 5th.
