The Scent of Rain & Lightning

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1:49

The Scent of Rain & Lightning

R

Released Feb 16, 2018

1h 40m

Mystery & Thriller

Western

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Popcornmeter

100%

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7 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

When a young woman learns her parents' killer has been released from jail, she is forced to revisit old wounds while discovering the destructive power of hate and the true cost of family secrets fully revealing themselves.

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Peter Howell

Toronto Star

Monroe's measured performance anchors a strong cast that overcomes occasional doldrums, confirming the stardom conferred by It Follows and The Guest.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 20, 2018

Full Review

Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

The Scent of Rain and Lightning is a well-acted, intelligent thriller that ultimately rewards the viewer's patience even if it too often sacrifices narrative clarity in favor of atmosphere.

Feb 15, 2018

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Liam Lacey

Original Cin

This modern-day western noir conveys an astute directorial presence buoyed by strong performances and music and impressionistic handheld camerawork.

Apr 20, 2018

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David N. Butterworth

La Movie Boeuf

"'Lightning" strikes a chord with the surefootedness of its cast and crew.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 7, 2018

Full Review

Bradley Gibson

Film Threat

Enjoyable fare with excellent characters and an intricate labyrinthine plot.

Rated: 7/10

Apr 5, 2017

Full Review

JimmyO

JoBlo's Movie Network

THE SCENT OF RAIN AND LIGHTNING is yet another impressive modern day thriller, one that puts story and character first.

Rated: 8/10

Mar 24, 2017

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Rob A

A few good scenes - and Maika Monroe is always worth the price of admission for me - but for the most part I didn't like it. Odd camera angles (it appeared a bit low budget) multiple bearded cowboys who all looked the same and myriad flashbacks made it somewhat difficult to follow. Dare I say the director got a tad too artistic here? It certainly had potential as a murder mystery, but I just think they made it too taxing on the audience.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/09/24

Full Review

Andy B

Well acted and atmospheric but a rather disjointed and muddled mystery thriller that jumps around far too often for it's own good, and has an ending that elicits not much more than a shrug. 'Ah, it was that guy. The one who was hardly in it.' Whatever,

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very intricate story, well shot. We need more productions like this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Late R

A neo-noir with a western tang, a whodunit and a family drama rolled into one, ‘The Scent of Rain & Lightning' is a well-acted affair with a mystery that is genuinely difficult to pin down (up until a certain point, it really could be anyone), but what stands out the most is the impressive directing and a striking shooting style that gives it an interesting, hazy quality, drifting in and out of flashbacks as if you're seeing things through a crystal ball. I'm not entirely sure the ending makes sense, but for the most part, it definitely holds your attention.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Very well acted and has some interesting things to say (do awful men who do awful things deserve to be locked away for atrocities they did not commit?) but the narrative structure makes everything foggy, and the exclusive casting of blonde white women and bearded white men make it so it takes 40-50 minutes to get a grasp on who's who.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Weirdly directed, it's often not immediately clear what's happening now and what's a flashback. Quite a confusing film although the actors are pretty good.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

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Blake Robbins

Director

Maggie Grace

Laurie

Maika Monroe

Jody Linder

Justin Chatwin

Hugh Jay Linder

Mark Webber

Chase

Bonnie Bedelia

Annabelle

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The Scent of Rain & Lightning: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a young woman learns her parents' killer has been released from jail, she is forced to revisit old wounds while discovering the destructive power of hate and the true cost of family secrets fully revealing themselves.

Director: Blake Robbins
Producer: Maggie Grace, Michael Davis, Jeff Johnson, Dan Koetting, Blake Robbins, Jeff Robison, Casey Twenter, Kevin Waller
Screenwriter: Jeff Robison, Casey Twenter
Distributor: SP Releasing
Production Co: KP's Remain, No Coast Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 16, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2018
Runtime: 1h 40m

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