The Lodge 2020

Drama

Thriller

Horror

Box Office

$3.2M

Runtime

108 min

Language

English

Directed by

Severin Fiala

Made by

Neon

Test your knowledge of The Lodge with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Lodge (2020). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Laura Hall, portrayed by Alicia Silverstone, finds herself in a heartbreaking situation after she separates from her novelist husband, Richard Armitage. Amidst the turmoil, Laura takes her own life upon learning that Richard plans to marry Grace Marshall, played by Riley Keough, a woman intertwined with a dark past involving a fundamentalist Christian cult. Grace, who emerged as the singular survivor of a mass suicide led by her father, Aaron, struggles with the weight of her tragic history.

In the wake of their mother’s death, Richard and Laura’s children, teenage Aidan, portrayed by Jaeden Lieberher, and young Mia, played by Lia McHugh, are consumed by grief. Six months after the tragedy, Richard announces during Thanksgiving that they will spend Christmas together with Grace at their secluded lodge in rural western Massachusetts. This decision is met with hostility, as Aidan and Mia grapple with their feelings toward Grace, who embodies both their father’s new beginning and the shadow of their mother’s demise.

When the family arrives at the lodge, the pervasive Catholic symbols evoke painful memories for Grace, leading to a growing sense of dread. On one tense night, a moment of comfort arises when Aidan prepares cocoa for Grace and Mia during a movie blur. However, this fragile peace shatters when Grace wakes to find that everything familiar has vanished—her belongings, the food she prepared, even her dog. Confusion reigns as the clocks ominously display January 9th, harboring the revelation of a nightmare: Aidan reveals a terrifying dream of their suffocation due to a gas heater malfunction, solidifying their belief that they may be trapped in the afterlife.

As the days stretch on, Grace, hindered by anxiety and the withdrawal from her medication, begins to sleepwalk and experience vivid hallucinations tied to her father’s haunting sermons. In a desperate move, she tries to reach the nearest town but only gets lost over and over, encountering remnants of her past. During a haunting journey, she discovers a chilling photo of Aidan and Mia, alongside harrowing evidence suggesting they may have succumbed to a tragic fate themselves.

Aidan’s increasing hysteria leads to a misguided attempt at proof of their demise when he hangs himself in the attic, only to survive. The situation escalates further as Grace’s mind unravels, culminating in a stark confrontation with her dog’s lifeless body. Ultimately, the truth surfaces as Aidan and Mia confess their elaborate deception to torment Grace. They orchestrate a series of gaslighting schemes to manipulate her sanity, hiding their devices while the aura of their father’s presence lingers, unknowingly leading her to a state of total breakdown.

As the children attempt to escape the wrath of their delusional stepmother, they are met with her desperate and violent actions, culminating in a tragic confrontation with Richard’s return. In a chilling climax, Grace’s belief in their purgatorial fate drives her to commit a horrific act against Richard, leaving Aidan and Mia at her mercy. Isolated and terrified, they find themselves forced to navigate a desolate hell, with Grace now fully consumed by her convictions and placing her twisted faith above all else.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Lodge (2020) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Laura's Heartbreak

Laura Hall finds herself in an emotionally devastating situation as she separates from her husband, Richard. The news of Richard's intention to marry Grace Marshall pushes Laura towards despair, culminating in her tragic decision to take her own life.

The Children Grieve

Following their mother's death, Aidan and Mia are plunged into deep grief. They struggle to navigate their emotions and the implications of their father's new relationship with Grace, further complicating their mourning process.

Thanksgiving Announcement

Six months after Laura's death, Richard makes a controversial announcement during Thanksgiving. He informs Aidan and Mia that they will be spending Christmas with Grace at their lodge in rural western Massachusetts, provoking feelings of anger and betrayal in the children.

Six months after Laura's death Thanksgiving dinner

Arrival at the Lodge

The family arrives at the secluded lodge, and the Catholic symbols within evoke painful memories for Grace. This setting serves as a catalyst for a growing sense of dread and discomfort for everyone, especially Grace, who is haunted by her past.

Lodge in rural western Massachusetts

Moment of Comfort

During a tense night, a brief attempt at normalcy is found when Aidan prepares cocoa for Grace and Mia while watching a movie. This fleeting moment of comfort highlights the strain in their relationships, hinting at the turmoil beneath the surface.

Lodge

The Nightmare Unfolds

Things take a turn for the worse when Grace awakens to find her belongings and food missing, heightening her confusion. Aidan's revelation of a terrifying dream about the gas heater malfunction hints at their entrapment in a nightmare scenario.

January 9th Lodge

Grace's Struggles Intensify

As the days pass, Grace's anxiety escalates, compounded by her withdrawal from medication. She experiences sleepwalking and vivid hallucinations, which are hauntingly tied to her father's fundamentalist sermons, further shattering her mental state.

Lodge

Desperate Search

In a frantic attempt to escape, Grace tries to reach the nearest town but becomes perpetually lost. During her haunting journey, she discovers a chilling photo of Aidan and Mia, coupled with unsettling evidence that suggests they may have met a tragic end.

Surrounding woods

Aidan's Attempt at Proof

Driven to hysteria, Aidan makes a dangerous attempt to prove their demise by hanging himself in the attic. His survival shocks everyone and exacerbates the already tense and unstable environment, pushing Grace further into madness.

Attic of the lodge

Confrontation with Reality

Grace confronts the lifeless body of her dog, a moment that serves as a stark reminder of her unraveling mental state. This confrontation propels her into a desperate reality as her grip on sanity begins to fade.

Lodge

The Deception Revealed

Aidan and Mia's confession of their elaborate deception comes to light, exposing their cruel schemes to torment Grace. They meticulously hide their devices, leading Grace to believe she is losing her mind in a twisted game of manipulation.

Lodge

Children's Escape Attempt

As tensions mount, Aidan and Mia try to escape from Grace's wrath, which has intensified due to their incessant gaslighting. Their attempts lead to a frantic and desperate struggle as they face their delusional stepmother.

Lodge

Richard's Return

Richard returns to the lodge, only to find the situation has escalated into chaos. His presence triggers a chilling climax where Grace's delusions culminate in a horrific confrontation, dramatically shifting the dynamics of the family.

Lodge

Grace's Final Act

Consumed by a belief in a purgatorial fate, Grace commits a horrifying act against Richard. This tragic climax leaves Aidan and Mia vulnerable and at her mercy, plunging them deeper into a desolate psychological horror.

Lodge

A Hellish New Reality

With Grace spiraled into madness, Aidan and Mia must navigate the remnants of their shattered family and their twisted new reality. Isolated and terrified, they are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the dark fate that awaits them.

Lodge

Characters

Explore all characters from The Lodge (2020). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Grace Marshall

Grace is a deeply troubled woman trying to escape her dark past and start anew. As the sole survivor of a tragic event, she struggles with her haunting memories and the disapproving hostility of her fiancé's children. Her journey becomes one of desperation as she grapples with her mental state amidst external manipulations.

🧠 Mental health 🔄 Survivor 🎭 Complex

Aidan Hall

Aidan is the teenage son caught in a web of grief and resentment following his mother's death. His emotional turmoil leads him to manipulate Grace, showcasing complex layers of anger and the need for closure. His actions reflect a desperate plea for control in a world turned upside down.

😠 Anger 🧒 Grief 🎭 Troubled

Mia Hall

Mia, the younger daughter, embodies innocence amidst chaos but struggles with the weight of family trauma. Her silence speaks volumes about her confusion and fear, making her a poignant representation of children caught in adult conflicts. She reflects the impact of grief on youth.

👧 Innocence 💔 Grief 🎭 Vulnerable

Laura Hall

Laura is the children's deceased mother, whose tragic end casts a long shadow over the family. Her struggles with her marriage and mental health contribute to the overall atmosphere of despair. Her presence, even in death, profoundly influences the dynamics of the family.

💔 Loss 🎭 Complex 🧠 Mental health

Richard Hall

Richard, the father, is caught between his new relationship and the remnants of his past. His decision to move on is fraught with struggle as he tries to protect his children while also embracing a new beginning. His return to the lodge acts as a catalyst for the climax.

🧔 Resilience 🚶 Transition 🎭 Divided

Setting

Learn where and when The Lodge (2020) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Present day, Thanksgiving to Christmas

The movie unfolds during the present day, specifically during the transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This period is often associated with family gatherings, yet for this family, it highlights grief, conflict, and the haunting memories of a lost loved one.

Location

Secluded lodge, Rural western Massachusetts

The secluded lodge is set in rural western Massachusetts, known for its serene yet eerie atmosphere. This isolation contrasts with the family's emotional turmoil, amplifying their sense of dread. The lodge becomes a character in itself, embodying the weight of past traumas and dark histories.

🏡 Lodge 🌲 Rural

Themes

Discover the main themes in The Lodge (2020). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Grief

Grief permeates the narrative as the characters navigate their loss and the repercussions of trauma. The film illustrates how grief can manifest in destructive ways, impacting relationships and leading to isolation. It also highlights the varying responses to loss, from denial to acceptance.

🌀

Mental Strain

The theme of mental strain is central to Grace's character, showcasing her unraveling psyche amid overwhelming circumstances. As she battles anxiety and hallucinations, the film delves into the complexities of mental health, particularly how past traumas can resurface in distressing ways.

🔪

Betrayal

Betrayal is intricately woven into the relationships among the characters, particularly between Grace and the children. Their elaborate deception to torment Grace indicates a profound sense of betrayal, amplifying the isolated, purgatorial atmosphere of their shared experience.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.