Review: LONG LOST Is A Thriller As Enjoyable As It Is Unpredictable

Cinemas around the world are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a large portion of the big theatrical movies for 2020 have been delayed or postponed indefinitely. That makes now the perfect time to seek-out titles which may have otherwise slipped through the cracks.  One movie which is available online is Erik Bloomquist’s Long Lost. It’s a curious low budget thriller that delivers some impressive moments, especially towards its climax. It’s as enjoyable as it is unpredictable. 

The film follows Seth (Adam Weppler) as he travels to spend the weekend with Richard (Nicholas Tucci), the long lost brother he has never met. The weekend takes place in Richard’s secluded country mansion in Connecticut and his girlfriend Abby (Catherine Corcoran) is also in attendance. Soon sibling rivalries and bloods run high, while Abby seems to show Seth a bit too much attention. Someone is playing a game here – but who, what and why?

A nifty little three hander, Bloomquist’s low budget film will take its audience on a cinematic mystery tour, but he’s made sure the SAT Nav is turned-off so they won’t know where they’re going. Bloomquist might take the scenic route and you may think the way meandering, but he has a very specific destination in mind. He has the talent to deliver a tense scene where sees two characters simply eat marshmallows – and that’s a pretty neat skill to have as a film director. 

Adam Weppler’s Seth is a bit of a wet-lettuce and you wonder why he even decided to come on the weekend at all and you’re even more surprised why he decides to stay (some serious cash is on the line, that’s why). Catherine Corcoran makes for a an able femme fatale, but the stand out performance here comes from Nicholas Tucci. The late actor embraces his role with zest and zeal, chewing the scenery like a hungry lion. He’s great. 

Long Lost might not be to everyone’s taste. As a filmmaker Erik Bloomquist takes his time to unveil each plot point, but I quite liked the fact that I didn’t know where the film was going. You see enough thrillers which follow specific templates and it was good to see someone try and make something a little different. 

In a time of global change, why not branch-out and give your viewing habits a little change too and give Long Lost a go?