Why UNDER THE SILVER LAKE (Now Streaming) is a Tough Sell, Even Though It’s Fantastic

Josh Millican |

Apr 26, 2019

2019 is notable for the number of sophomore features from horror practitioners coming down the pike. We’ve seen Jordan Peel’s Us (a follow-up to Get Out) but we’ve also got Hereditary director Ari Aster’s Midsommar and The Witch director Robert Eggers The Lighthouse to look forward too. Us did extremely well at the box office and the hype surround Misdommar and The Lighthouse is hot.

One sophomore genre film that fell into a slump, however, is Under the Silver Lake, the 2nd feature film from It Follows writer/director David Robert Mitchell. Originally slated for a December release, the film was rescheduled for this Summer before being essentially dumped on VOD a few days ago. It’s a shame because Under the Silver Lake is actually an amazing film. In fact, it made my list of the Top 10 films that screened at Fantastic Fest in 2018.

Related Article: Top 10 Horror Movies from Fantastic Fest 2018

So why didn’t Under the Silver Lake get the accolades I’m claiming it deserves? I can be objective enough to see things from the studio’s perspective (in this case, A24). The film is long–really long. Maybe not Endgame long, but much more extensive than your typical cinematic sit-down.

Also, even Mitchell had stated outright that Under the Silver Lake isn’t a film that can be completely absorbed in a single sitting. It’s intended to be seen multiple times, with new details emerging as relevant after each viewing. While film fans have favorites they play on loop, requiring entertainment seekers put in multiple viewings just to “get it” is a tall order.

While I enjoyed it immensely, Under the Silver Lake is a film that takes work. You’re a detective and you win as long as you don’t lose your mind entirely. I love the challenge and will happily see the film again now that it’s streaming. But the bottom line is, despite the success of It Follows, Under the Silver Lake is a tough film to sell.

Don’t be scared! A new trailer for Under the Silver Lake is embedded at the top of the article. Read the synopsis below.

Synopsis:
When his beautiful, mysterious neighbor disappears without a trace, Sam tries to find the parties responsible, unraveling a string of strange crimes, unsolved murders and bizarre coincidences in his East Los Angeles neighborhood.

Have you seen Under the Silver Lake yet? What did you think of the challenging film? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

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