Martyrs Lane

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Martyrs Lane

2021

1h 36m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In this unsettling ghost story, Leah, 10, lives in a large, old house with her family but can't quite work out why her mother seems so distant. At night she is visited by a mysterious guest, who might be able to give her some answers. With a new challenge every night, Leah is rewarded with bits of knowledge that, when pieced together, threaten to shine a dangerous light on both the truth in her nightmares and of the world she lives in.

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Critics Consensus

Well-acted by its young leads, Martyrs Lane tells a slow-burning ghost story that gathers real emotional weight.

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Cody Corrall

Chicago Reader

Martyrs Lane can find itself in familiar territory from time to time, but the film is ultimately propelled by the promise of its compelling young performers.

Sep 20, 2021

Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Both Thompson and Sayer are extraordinary. These are two of the best child performances I've seen this year, each working in exquisite tandem with their equally diminutive co-star.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 17, 2021

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Platt lets the supernatural seep in incrementally... As the nature of the unearthly visitor becomes clearer, subtle and distressing practical effects play their role.

Sep 15, 2021

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Bee Delores

B-Sides & Badlands

Martyrs Lane features unbelievably strong, emotional, and grounded performances from both Thompson and Sayer.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 11, 2024

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Bill Bria

Vague Visages

It feels like Martyrs Lane would work better in its original truncated format, the story a perfect length for a short subject. As a feature, it’s expanded in such a way that feels less like a deeper dive into the material and more like a delay.

Jun 6, 2023

Full Review

Jessica Scott

We Who Walk Here

Viewers expecting terror or a riveting mystery won’t find either here. Instead, they will find a quiet, elegiac, and ultimately rewarding tale about the power of the truth and the importance of focusing on the living rather than the dead.

Dec 19, 2022

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emily K.

Really taken aback by how much dimension this film has. I expected scary, but got depth, emotion, trauma and grief. Solid film if you’re down for a slow burn!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

Full Review

Tom L

Poetically beautiful film which is ostensibly a ghost story but ends up being a deep meditation on grief. Great story, cinematography, and atmosphere, and the two young girls who play Leah and Rachel are fantastic, bringing an emotional depth far beyond their years. While there are a few disquieting scenes, this is definitely not a jump scare gore fest, so if that’s what you’re looking for, look elsewhere. But if you’re open experiencing a true work of art, you’ll be richly rewarded by this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Diana S

This is less of a horror and more of a supernatural drama. It's an old-fashioned ghost story where the supernatural part is eclipsed by the family drama.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

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Ricardo d

É um bom filme, nada especial, já temos filmes parecidos por aí. Mas passa o tempo.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

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Tim L

Indeed, the movie treads very familiar territory. It does it VERY effectively, though, and in the process brings out amazing performances from all involved, ESPECIALLY the kids.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/04/23

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Audience Member

Overall, as slow-burning horror, Martyrs Lane is quite pleasing. The film introduces an interesting story with many mysteries before concluding with an unpredictable finale. The children's performances here are great and convincing. The atmosphere throughout is dark and spooky and, again, pleasing. It's been a while since movie lovers were greeted with a fun ghosty tale, and this certainly feels refreshing as the credits rolled.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

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Ruth Platt

Director

Kiera Thompson

Leah

Denise Gough

Sarah

Steven Cree

Thomas

Anastasia Hille

Lillian

Hannah Rae

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Synopsis

In this unsettling ghost story, Leah, 10, lives in a large, old house with her family but can't quite work out why her mother seems so distant. At night she is visited by a mysterious guest, who might be able to give her some answers. With a new challenge every night, Leah is rewarded with bits of knowledge that, when pieced together, threaten to shine a dangerous light on both the truth in her nightmares and of the world she lives in.

Director: Ruth Platt
Producer: Christine Alderson, Katie Hodgkin
Screenwriter: Ruth Platt, Ruth Platt
Production Co: British Film Institute, Sharp House, Ipso Facto Productions
Genre: Horror
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 9, 2021
Runtime: 1h 36m

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