1. Plot Summary

Title: In the Tall Grass
Release Date: October 4, 2019 (Netflix) 
Genre: Supernatural horror drama
Director: Vincenzo Natali 
Cast: Patrick Wilson (Ross), Laysla De Oliveira (Becky), Avery Whitted (Cal), Will Buie Jr. (Tobin), Harrison Gilbertson (Travis) 
Where to Watch: Netflix

Becky, heavily pregnant, and her brother Cal embark on a road trip. They heed the desperate cries of a young boy, Tobin, and enter a vast field of tall grass to rescue him. Once inside, they become disoriented, suspecting supernatural forces at play. They meet Tobin’s family and Becky’s partner Travis, who enters after them. What begins as a rescue mission spirals into a horrifying entrapment, with reality bending in time loops and psychological dread (without revealing major plot twists)

2. Notable Elements

• Visuals & Atmosphere: Cinematographer Craig Wrobleski captures the grass as an oppressive maze—despite open skies, the field feels claustrophobic and disorienting

• Performances: Patrick Wilson’s portrayal of Ross bridges intensity and eeriness, while Avery Whitted and Laysla De Oliveira offer grounded emotional cores as lost siblings. Their dynamic helps sustain tension even through repetitive loops

• Mind‑bending scenes: One of the most unsettling moments involves characters jumping and unexpectedly appearing thousands of feet apart—a visual callback to time-space distortion that feels surreal

3. Themes & Messages

• Time loops and fate: The narrative tackles cycles of trauma and birth-death rebirth, reminiscent of mythic or Eastern philosophical parallels—forcing characters (and viewers) to question cause and consequence

• Fear of the unknown in nature: What seems a pastoral stop morphs into a predatory environment. It subverts the cozy road‑trip trope into a supernatural nightmare.

• Responsibility & redemption: Travis’s journey grapples with his past choices about fatherhood. The film uses horror as a means to examine regret and sacrifice.

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Though not holiday-themed, the film twists the idyllic tradition of family journeys into a cautionary tale about listening, choices, and unseen forces.

4. Personal Impressions

• Strengths:

  • The atmospheric dread is sustained effectively, with the grass itself acting as a character.

  • Character relationships feel authentic amid the chaos, and the paradoxical storytelling piques intellectual curiosity.

• Weaknesses:

  • According to critics, the film’s pacing is overly indulgent—scenes often linger, dragging the slim novella’s premise across 90+ minutes

  • Multiple plot holes and unresolved paradoxes leave many viewers unsatisfied. Reddit discussions underscore how confusing the narrative becomes without full closure

5. Audience Recommendations

• Ideal for fans of supernatural psychological horror and storytelling that experiments with time loops (e.g. The Endless, Triangle).

• Viewers who enjoy Stephen King adaptations, especially with existential dread and surreal elements, may find this intriguing.

• However, casual horror watchers seeking clear resolutions or jump-scares might find it frustrating or tedious.

6. Conclusion & Rating

In the Tall Grass is an ambitious adaptation that transforms a brief King/Hill novella into an eerie and unsettling cinematic experience. While its visuals and concept intrigue, the plodding pacing and narrative ambiguity limit its emotional impact. It’s best viewed as a thought-provoking piece rather than straightforward horror.

Final Recommendation: Worth a watch for lovers of experimental supernatural horror, but approach with patience and a tolerance for open-ended mysteries.
⭐️ Rating: 2.5/5