Jacked In Reviews ‘Melanie’s Grave’ (2023)

A robber on the run chooses to lay low, away from prying eyes and the law. Unfortunately for him, the chosen hideout may not be the best – as the house is occupied by Mel (Rachel Meredith), an individual with autism and quite severe OCD.

From the get-go we have a story with serious legs, not to mention some intense acting chops from Meredith, who seems to slide into her role with ease. As more of Mel’s dark past is revealed, measures are taken to ensure she doesn’t become a victim ever again.

Leading us astray in terms of what kind of movie we think we’re watching, ‘Melanie’s Grave’ succeeds in taking us by surprise, changing from a hostage flick to that of a psycho-thriller in a matter of moments.

Leading us astray in terms of what kind of movie we think we’re watching, Melanie’s Grave succeeds in taking us by surprise, changing from a hostage flick to that of a psycho-thriller in a matter of moments. Contrasting to the intimacy of the first act, the second finds us in an open woodland. That, accompanied by a retro, sinister score and bloody SFX, you almost have a movie that echoes that of an 80s slasher flick.

The third act then hits you with – almost guilty – anxiety as you find yourself rooting for this monster as she tries to evade suspicion from the law. All the while understanding how she’s reached this point.

A film that could perhaps have benefited from being a bit shorter. However, unlike other hostage features, the action beats aren’t quick or glamorous, but instead elongated and drawn out, adding more realism to the whole ordeal.

Overall, as well as bringing a new devious dark passenger to the screen, Garry Moore puts a refreshing spin on captive cinema adding an aspect that hasn’t been explored before.

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