If you’ve been missing the big, mind-bending twists of M. Night Shyamalan movies, I have a recommendation for you. Caddo Lake is the latest original mystery thriller produced by M. Night, which is written and directed by Celine Held and Logan George, and is now available on Max. I have always been a fan of M. Night Shyamalan, and even though he did not direct this film, seeing his name attached piqued my interest, and I imagine other fans will feel the same.

The film follows two storylines: a teenager named Ellie (Eliza Scanlen) who lives with her mother (Lauren Ambrose), with whom she is constantly fighting, along with her stepfather (Eric Lange) and stepsister Anna (Caroline Falk). They live on Caddo Lake in Texas, and one day, Anna goes missing. Meanwhile, we also follow Paris (Dylan O’Brien), who is troubled by the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death and the lake.

The movie becomes most interesting when the two stories (finally) intersect.

First, the movie’s setting is stunning: cypress trees and Spanish moss hanging from them over a dark, reflective lake. I was excited to learn that the filmmakers chose to set their movie here after discovering Caddo Lake while on vacation. I can see why. The surrounding trees and water add a sense of isolation and mystery, adding depth to the existing plot. I also love the concept of people using boats for transportation, because you don’t see that often in movies.

I was delighted to see some familiar faces from Shyamalan’s previous works in this movie: Lauren Ambrose from the television series Servant (a fantastic show) and Eliza Scanlen from the movie Old. I always appreciate when directors cast the same actors in different projects, and I’m glad that the directors of this movie did so.

Ambrose is a powerful actress; her performance in this movie is no exception. She portrays Ellie’s mother, with whom she has a tumultuous relationship, and her fits of rage are realistic and emotional. I also enjoyed Scanlen’s performance as her daughter, Ellie. Her portrayal is one of the stronger performances in this movie that kept me engaged when I thought I would become bored.

Let me explain.

The film starts with a compelling introduction to the characters and their struggles. The narrative gains momentum when Anna disappears. As I attempted to connect the dots, I wondered, “What do these two storylines have in common?” The movie left me lingering in this state of uncertainty for too long in the second act, causing it to lose some momentum. This did not do Paris’ character any favors, as his story became lost in the shuffle until halfway through the film.

The movie lacks exciting character development to drive the story, especially in the second act, which is crucial to keep the viewer engaged. The script lacks emotional depth and fails to elicit a sense of investment in the characters’ experiences of loss.

But the third act speeds up again and finally starts answering some questions. At this point, I was already a little frustrated, but I pushed through, and I’m glad I did because the twist is intriguing. You will want to pay attention because there is a lot of information to put together to understand. Once the storylines start to come together, you will have an “Oh!” moment.

I have encountered multiple reviews from individuals expressing post-viewing confusion, and I empathize with this perspective. The twist will be divisive in whether you enjoy this film or not. If I don’t understand a twist or deeper meaning in a movie, I go out of my way to research it, but not everyone will. It’s worth noting that it reminds me of the German series, Dark, on Netflix. I don’t want to spoil too much, but if you’ve seen it, you’ll understand how this movie operates.

After considering the film, I found the unexpected twist ultimately enhanced my overall perception, leading me to regard Caddo Lake as a good experience. A runtime of 99 minutes is well-suited for the content it presents. However, I found myself desiring further explanation post-credits. While I have grasped the essence of the film, plot hole specialists may identify a few loose ends.

The film is not without its flaws; however, enthusiasts of science fiction and thrillers are likely to find enjoyment from it. Ultimately, this movie scratched that Shyamalan itch I’ve been missing lately. I give Caddo Lake three and a half out of five stars for the gorgeous setting and intricate twist to be quite creative.

It won’t make my Top 10 of the year, but it’s one to put on your watchlist for a cozy night at home.