User reviews

A teenage girl makes a Faustian pact with a trio of gypsies who promise that they can use the occult to bring back her recently dead brother in return for the life of an innocent person of their choosing.

Dig Two Graves is a film which I definitely hope is picked up and given a proper distribution. It would be a criminal waste otherwise, as this is a very well-made supernatural tinged thriller. It brought me to mind of Winter's Bone (2010) in which it shared both the derelict and battered location (both films were shot on either side of the same river seemingly), as well as a story of a teenage girl in the middle of a dangerous situation created by the past actions of the adults who surround her, the upshot being that this youngster comes across as the most level-headed character in her neighbourhood. While this one doesn't measure up to the quality of Winter's Bone as such, it remains a very good effort indeed and one that deserves a wide distribution, as I truly expect that this one will connect with many people. The story is set in 1977 but there are several flashbacks to 1947, it seems that there was a very bad event in the past that has informed the present, with ghosts from the past returning to the surface demanding closure in one way or another.

Director Hunter Adams has done a very good job here, putting together an interesting dark story and ensuring that it looks great throughout. Like a lot of regional films, the southern Illinois setting is a character in itself, with the run-down locales contrasting with the beautiful natural scenery – it's a great location for a mysterious thriller. Setting it in the 70's is a bonus, as it ensures that modern technology does not get in the way of the story, while benefiting the supernatural angle that underpins it; the period detail additionally adds appealing visual flavour to proceedings also. Another plus point is the acting, with Ted Levine given a very rare lead role. He is most well-known to genre fans for his highly creepy turn as Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), in this one he is a conflicted lawman with dark and troubling secrets and his talents bring a lot to the table here. Even better is newcomer Samantha Isler who puts in a very good performance as the young girl at the centre of the narrative. She is thoroughly convincing and sympathetic here. In summary, this is a beautifully photographed and well-acted dramatic thriller, with an intriguing story and great location. Hopefully it will find its way to a wider audience.

I will give the makers of "Dig Two Graves" some credit where credit is due. First of all, despite having a real low budget, the movie does look very decent; the movie looks technically sound, and has some striking images every so often. Second, while you may think you're able to guess how the movie plays out from its plot description, the movie does surprise by going down a much different path. Unfortunately, in the end I probably would have preferred had the movie gone down the most expected path, even though there have been many movies before it that have gone down the same path. Although the movie only runs 84 minutes long, it plays out in an extremely slow manner, and for the first two-thirds constantly spins its wheels with very little to nothing of consequence happening. Another problem is that there are some head-scratching plot points that are ultimately not answered in a satisfactory manner, or simply not given any effort in answering at all. In the end, the movie is too unsatisfying to recommend, despite it being obvious that the filmmakers were trying for something different than usual. Maybe next time...

Three strange brothers offer a grieving teenage girl the opportunity to bring her recently deceased brother back to life. A movie that fails to deliver on its early promise is salvaged to a degree by the performances of Ted Levine and young Samantha Isler. It doesn't really seem to know what kind of movie it wants to be and subsequently lacks consistency. Can't for the life of me figure out why the brothers were dressed like 1880s moonshiners, or whether they really had the power to deliver on their offer or whether it was all a scam in order to get their revenge. A shame - it could have been a real success had a little more thought (and care) been put into it.

I thought this movie would actually be pretty cool from it's moderately intriguing description. I thought wrong.

"Dig Two Graves" is senselessly silly from conception to execution. Nary a moment of the 85-minute running time can be taken remotely seriously even in terms of a low-budget, satanic cult-infused horror flick.

If there is any good that may be cultivated here, it is represented by the performances we get from two actors-one a veteran, the other a relative newcomer. Ted Levine ("Buffalo Bill" from "Silence of The Lambs") and promising young talent Samantha Isler (whom you may recognize from this year's mostly under the radar and surprise Oscar-nominated indie "Captain Fantastic") each deliver quite admirably in their respective roles in this otherwise much less than commendable crudfest.

How about digging just one grave? And then dumping this stinker in it.

I was expecting a different type of movie. This was well cast and the story was interesting. It was a reasonable length and had some twists and details you wouldn't have expected. One of the better made movies of this type today.

Oh, I did not like this one.

It started well, I loved the aesthetics, camera work was great, and the actors were doing a great job. Nice story too! However, I'd say the director made some pretty dubious decisions here as the whole thing started looking quite amateurish quite soon. The editing, for instance, felt just plain wrong a lot of the time. Also, some important parts of the story felt rushed, and some totally unnecessary scenes were kind of forced in. It just felt like a good story poorly translated into cinema, and I couldn't shake that feeling until the end.

This movie has rather big ratings among the film critics - and from what I can see here, the common mortals loved it, too. I have no idea why. Oh well... you can't always agree with everyone. 3 stars from me because (although it was great in many regards) it flunked in the most important aspect. Cheers!

I gave myself a day to process this movie before commenting on it. A little girl is haunted by the death of her older brother and is offered a bargain by a strange trio of gypsies to bring him back, at a price. Bottom line, I wish all horror films were this good. This movie really has just about everything I want in a horror movie: childhood nostalgia and tragedy, a cult, mysterious gypsies, people haunted by dark secrets of their past, magic, etc... and it's all tied together with a very satisfying ending. I would have liked to have seen one more thing happen in the movie that never quite did but I think that's why the movie resolves so well. Well-filmed and acted.

Interesting story that keeps pulling you in as the movie goes on. Starts out a psycho horror movie and ends up a tragedy

Acting is okay. I dislike the direction of the movie. This isn't a horror movie; misleading title and description.

I was going through Netflix finding a horror movie to watch (In the horror section), and I stumbled upon a thumbnail of a young girl and what looks like a promising movie.

From reading the description and because of the genre section it was in, I was expecting a lot more of something that falls into the supernatural realm - but that's where I was wrong. Honestly, this movie wasn't half bad, but it falls within drama more than any other genre.

It wasn't a low budget movie, and the atmosphere of this film was great. It fell short of my expectations because I thought it would be something more intense or creepy, but it turned out to be more of a mystery-drama.

I can see many people enjoying the film, but the people I watched it with had mix feelings. Half of them thought it was "alright," and the other half found it pretty boring.

Worth a watch? Not really, but if you have spare time, it's not bad to check it out.

this is such an amazingly crafted film, with a very low-key subtle style that is genuinely compelling, and Ted Levine makes his character an absolute joy to watch and listen to.

the problem with the movie is despite how stylish and well-crafted it is, it's boring. I can't think of any genuine knock on the film other than perhaps its pacing, but that alone isn't enough to explain why it's just so boring

What lengths would you go to to see deceased loved ones again? What would you sacrifice to right what has been wronged? The film is essentially about the consequences of two corrupt police officers. This is pure evil, done perfectly from an innocent child's perspective. Well acted with very good visuals. It is even more disturbing to see what a teenager is prepared to sacrifice to overcome her sorrow and suffering. Samantha Isler was exceptionally good in this role.

Very good, albeit a bit weird at times. The film is labelled a 'gothic thriller', though.

At times the movie drags on, stretching a simple story of revenge with a hint of supernatural undertones; a tad too long. The flashbacks tied in nicely to the story telling, to a satisfying ending.

I was put on to this film by the director's late father who was a personal friend. I had high hopes going in.

I loved almost everything about this film from creative standpoint. It was shot well, with some very clever 'back in time' scenes. Mr. Adams is without question skilled. The landscape was great, the acting was at a high level, the dramatic scenes deliver and are exciting, you understand the characters and why they are doing what they do. Very cohesive and overall extreamly well put together.

My hang up for not giving it a higher rating is simply put the story, you don't really connect with anyone or care to much about what happens to them. It's filled with tragedy and pain. While it's intended to be dark, the overall narative for me was a letdown.

I really was rooting for this film, I wanted to love it. While it's certainly worth a watch, I can't say I came away enjoying it.

I know movies with multiple stories going on can annoy a lot of people. I found it captivating. Not perfect but not a bad way to spend 2 hours on a Saturday.

A unique and provocative thriller about rising above the sins of the past, it's slightly heightened yet familiar, like a surreal nightmare. Imagine the otherworldly evil of The Witch thrown into the realistic American heart of It, but without any of the blatant horror of either. Even with the unwieldy storytelling, it's a beautifully gothic and creepy indie, hiding within the bowels of Netflix like a deep dark secret in a family tree.

This was a beautiful film I really found myself enjoying it a lot and it has a deep meaning even though it was kinda slow paced it had the mystery and suspense to make me wanna keep watching it, I didn't like that the ending was so sudden though I expected it to show more.

Interesting plot but it was a tad drawn out and got a bit slow at the beginning of the second half. Great performances by the young girl and her grandfather. Would recommend but not adamantly.

I avoided watching this movies for a while but I wish I'd watched it sooner. it's one of those movies you get a feel for straightaway and has you guessing most of the way through only to switch back and make you wonder.. Brilliant flashbacks and the ends are tied up so you know you just watched something good. Thoroughly recommend it.