Echo Valley (2025) - Film Review

      Echo Valley, 2025.

      Directed by Michael Pearce.

      Featuring Julianne Moore, Sydney Sweeney, Domhnall Gleeson, Kyle MacLachlan, Fiona Shaw, Edmund Donovan, Rebecca Creskoff, Audrey Grace Marshall, and Stella Chivee.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Kate is grappling with a personal tragedy while managing and training horses in the secluded and scenic Echo Valley when her daughter, Claire, unexpectedly arrives at her door, terrified, shaking, and covered in someone else’s blood.

      The notion that a parent's unconditional love can help their children navigate any crisis is explored here. From director Michael Pearce, Echo Valley (written by Brad Ingelsby of Mare of Easttown fame, which gives a sense of the thriller’s nature) pushes this idea to absurd and frustrating extremes, relying heavily on shock value without solid character development. It aims for grit, claiming to delve into something raw and hard-hitting, yet mostly provokes eye rolls. Additionally, there’s an equally implausible plot twist that shifts the trajectory of the story within the already established framework.

      In this scenario, the parent is the endlessly loving and easily influenced mother, Kate Garretson (Julianne Moore), who is mourning the loss of her wife. This tragic circumstance has led her to halt horse riding lessons at her ranch, which is problematic given the necessary repairs on the property and mounting bills. Luckily, her ex-husband (Kyle MacLachlan) reluctantly provides some financial support (having seemingly remarried a younger woman and started a new family, though these characters remain undeveloped in their brief scene that feels truncated) while expressing his disapproval of the frequent financial aid Claire (Sydney Sweeney) receives and her general behavior.

      His main frustration stems from Claire being a drug addict involved with a bad influence, her boyfriend Ryan (Edmund Donovan), who deals drugs for the unstable Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson). Claire and Ryan are frequently in conflict; at one point, she throws his belongings into a river, which includes drugs he’s selling for Jackie, exposing them both to his dangerous wrath.

      Despite this, Claire continues to see Ryan. Craving a fix, Claire reveals her monstrous side, devising a plan to take her mother’s dog and abandon it in the wild (fully aware it won’t return home) unless Kate gives in to her demands for money, which she claims is not for drugs. Once a kind, assisting ranchhand and aspiring writer, Claire’s transformation is puzzling since the film gives little focus on character development, making her drastic change something the audience must simply accept.

      However, this is not even the most shocking act Claire commits against her mother. Still, Kate is determined to protect her daughter, not only from Jackie but also from another legal issue she is embroiled in. While the performances by Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney are compelling, the film still resembles a far-fetched test of how far a mother will go to shield her ungrateful daughter from trouble.

      As the story unfolds, Echo Valley takes a different turn with Kate attempting to outmaneuver Jackie while reconnecting with an old lesbian friend (Fiona Shaw). Although the film bears a certain trashy airport novel quality, it remains entertaining despite its misdirection. However, it concludes with an unmerited moment that elicits frustration, not just for its absurdity but also because character arcs remain unresolved. This film feels like it should be lost in the depths of a valley.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He also serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. For new reviews, check here and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.