Stranger by the Lake

Summertime. South of France. A secluded lake is the meeting point for naturist men. Some just enjoy a swim and the sun. Some wander into the woods, looking for a partner and a quick sexual encounter. But one of them is a dangerous and lethal lover.

Franck, a young unemployed guy, comes every day to that lake. He is trying to figure out what to do with his life. One day, he notices Henri, sitting by himself a bit far from the “hot spot”. They start chatting and, as the days go by, they become friends. Soon, Franck is caught off guard by Michel, an excellent swimmer and a very attractive man.
Franck is hooked and will do anything to get Michel. Even if that implies hiding a murder. When the body of Michel’s ex lover is found, drowned in the lake, an inspector starts investigating and the tension builds up. Who will make it alive?

Directed by Alain Guiraudie, “Stranger by the Lake” is a thriller taking place in a secluded location. It is a bit repetitive, as each day in the film looks pretty much like the day before: same shot of the parking lot, same men, same lake, same weather. Be ready to also see a lot of sex, as you will witness everything. One can help but compare it to the crude sex scenes in “Blue is the Warmest Colour”.

The story is quite classic but the environment where it is set makes it mysterious and intriguing. It is a complex film that appears like it was made smoothly, easily. It is important to think it through to realise its full potential.

The ending, though, is a bit disappointing. Those last five minutes are the most engaging ones and the film finishes without a proper clue, leaving you shaken from the actions you witnessed.