The search for great film gems in the thriller genre is almost like looking for a needle in a haystack. The much too unknown “Lost River”, in which none other than Ryan Gosling was in the director’s chair, offers grandiose visuals and a well-thought-out story about society’s fragility and existential anxieties, which makes it a must. streaming tip. The extraordinary thriller is even available as a subscription to Amazon Prime Video – in the regular version only in the German dubbed version:
If you subscribe to the Arthouse CNMA channel on Amazon Prime Video, you can also watch the original English version. You can also test the transmitter for free for seven days. Or if you do not have a subscription and do not want to take out one, the film is available as rental VoD for only 99 cents.
That’s what ‘Lost River’ is about
Due to the economic crisis, the town of Lost River is developing into a gloomy ghost town. Many people have already moved and those who are still there are trying to make ends meet by any means necessary. Single mother Billy (Christina Hendricks) still feels very attached to her homeland and can’t bring herself to leave. When she learns one day that the rent on the house is not going well, the life of the family of three with the children Bones (Iain De Caestecker) and Franky (Landyn Stewart) is turned upside down.
Billy must now find other ways to save the family and their home. She then falls into the clutches of nightclub owner Dave (Ben Mendelsohn). Meanwhile, Bones faces mad criminal Bully (Matt Smith) and dreams of a better life with his girlfriend Rat (Saoirse Ronan).
An invisible threat
The short description of “Lost River” may be quite simple. However, the range of topics that one would take on is very wide. But it’s not a classic story of revenge, for example, nor a brutal struggle for survival. The thriller has a much more complex structure, which is evident in the night scenes. The darkness that defines most of the action quickly creates an eerie atmosphere that does not bode well. However, it is not one where monsters lurk. Rather, the feeling arises that one’s own existence is threatened in other ways.
While initially abstract, this threat continues to take shape over time to the point where it is almost obvious. Lost River focuses on the fear of losing your own home. The thriller therefore clearly falls into the category of the more demanding films in which existential fears are scrutinized.
realism and myth
Gosling’s directorial debut finds a grandiose visual language that moves between realism and mystery. What exactly does that mean? Let’s think back to the economic crisis in 2007. There were probably quite a few people who were directly affected and lost their homes. The burning buildings that Gosling presents to us can therefore also be interpreted metaphorically if the world around you is on fire.
On the other hand, the citizens also think their small town is cursed. Deep in the flooded part of the city is a mystery that has yet to be solved. These two sides not only complement each other perfectly, but also show what holds a film together between the lines. If there was only the realism factor, this kind of movie magic would probably be missing. On the other hand, if there were only the myth of the underwater city, the immediacy for the audience would be lacking.
Dark as David Lynch
However, nightclub life comes through clearly, not only with the colorfully intensive visuals, but also with the soundtrack, which unfolds almost a psychedelic effect. Blood, “torture” and an almost circus-like atmosphere should amuse the people here, after all there is nothing else to free your head from the daily worries. Suddenly voyeurism and fetishes take center stage, perfectly summarizing the disintegration of society.
This is reminiscent of David Lynch, as there are some parallels between “Lost River” and, say, “Mulholland Drive” or “Lost Highway” – especially in terms of human depths. And anyway, there is one thing very clearly in common: Lynch’s works, like Gosling’s film, ultimately confront us with questions about the fragility of civilization and the anxieties of the individual.
The student becomes the master
Nicolas Winding Refn’s movies like “Drive” or “Only God Forgives” are no longer insider tips, on the contrary. You could even argue that Ryan Gosling was made popular by these films and would not be here today without them.
So, cinematically, Gosling had enough inspiration to give his own work, which came out in 2014, an equally awesome touch. Neon colors (completely in the style of Refn), but also an oppressive atmosphere, the power of the fiery and dark images are quite similar in comparison. If you are a fan of Refn’s films and series, you will definitely get your money’s worth with the surreal “Lost River”.
While “Lost River” has little to say narratively, it’s all the more amazing how much goes on between the lines and images here. While the thriller genre (at least in most cases) thrives on the element of suspense, Gosling delivers almost an anti-film where you don’t grit your teeth in front of the screen. The grandiose staging and unique audio visuals make it almost possible to say that Gosling has reimagined the thriller – and with success.