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Martyrs Lane

Play trailer Poster for Martyrs Lane 2021 1h 36m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 48 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In this unsettling ghost story, Leah, 10, lives in a large, old house with her family but can't quite work out why her mother seems so distant. At night she is visited by a mysterious guest, who might be able to give her some answers. With a new challenge every night, Leah is rewarded with bits of knowledge that, when pieced together, threaten to shine a dangerous light on both the truth in her nightmares and of the world she lives in.
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Martyrs Lane

Martyrs Lane

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Critics Consensus

Well-acted by its young leads, Martyrs Lane tells a slow-burning ghost story that gathers real emotional weight.

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Critics Reviews

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Josh Slater-Williams Sight & Sound May 13, 2026
What the eventual endgame reveal of Martyrs Lane may lack in surprises, it more than makes up for in emotional power. Go to Full Review Cody Corrall Chicago Reader Sep 20, 2021
Martyrs Lane can find itself in familiar territory from time to time, but the film is ultimately propelled by the promise of its compelling young performers. Go to Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Sep 17, 2021
3/4
Both Thompson and Sayer are extraordinary. These are two of the best child performances I've seen this year, each working in exquisite tandem with their equally diminutive co-star. Go to Full Review Bee Delores B-Sides & Badlands Jul 11, 2024
3/5
Martyrs Lane features unbelievably strong, emotional, and grounded performances from both Thompson and Sayer. Go to Full Review Bill Bria Vague Visages Jun 6, 2023
It feels like Martyrs Lane would work better in its original truncated format, the story a perfect length for a short subject. As a feature, it’s expanded in such a way that feels less like a deeper dive into the material and more like a delay. Go to Full Review Jessica Scott We Who Walk Here Dec 19, 2022
Viewers expecting terror or a riveting mystery won’t find either here. Instead, they will find a quiet, elegiac, and ultimately rewarding tale about the power of the truth and the importance of focusing on the living rather than the dead. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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emily K. @QueenOnion Oct 19, 2025 Really taken aback by how much dimension this film has. I expected scary, but got depth, emotion, trauma and grief. Solid film if you’re down for a slow burn! See more Tom L @RT84451299 Aug 15, 2025 Poetically beautiful film which is ostensibly a ghost story but ends up being a deep meditation on grief. Great story, cinematography, and atmosphere, and the two young girls who play Leah and Rachel are fantastic, bringing an emotional depth far beyond their years. While there are a few disquieting scenes, this is definitely not a jump scare gore fest, so if that’s what you’re looking for, look elsewhere. But if you’re open experiencing a true work of art, you’ll be richly rewarded by this film. See more Diana S @DianaWho Jul 18, 2024 This is less of a horror and more of a supernatural drama. It's an old-fashioned ghost story where the supernatural part is eclipsed by the family drama. See more Ricardo d @RT43154676 Feb 11, 2024 É um bom filme, nada especial, já temos filmes parecidos por aí. Mas passa o tempo. See more Tim L @TLinsley Jul 4, 2023 Indeed, the movie treads very familiar territory. It does it VERY effectively, though, and in the process brings out amazing performances from all involved, ESPECIALLY the kids. See more Peter W @RT12077588 Jan 5, 2023 Overall, as slow-burning horror, Martyrs Lane is quite pleasing.  The film introduces an interesting story with many mysteries before concluding with an unpredictable finale.  The children's performances here are great and convincing.  The atmosphere throughout is dark and spooky and, again, pleasing. It's been a while since movie lovers were greeted with a fun ghosty tale, and this certainly feels refreshing as the credits rolled. See more Read all reviews
Martyrs Lane

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Cast & Crew

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Ruth Platt

Director

Kiera Thompson

Leah

Denise Gough

Sarah

Steven Cree

Thomas

Anastasia Hille

Lillian

Hannah Rae

Bex

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Martyrs Lane

Martyrs Lane (2021) Martyrs Lane (2021) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this unsettling ghost story, Leah, 10, lives in a large, old house with her family but can't quite work out why her mother seems so distant. At night she is visited by a mysterious guest, who might be able to give her some answers. With a new challenge every night, Leah is rewarded with bits of knowledge that, when pieced together, threaten to shine a dangerous light on both the truth in her nightmares and of the world she lives in.
Director
Ruth Platt
Producer
Christine Alderson, Katie Hodgkin
Screenwriter
Ruth Platt, Ruth Platt
Production Co
British Film Institute, Sharp House, Ipso Facto Productions
Genre
Horror
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 9, 2021
Runtime
1h 36m
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