When it comes to slow burn thrillers, you should look no further than Lyvia’s House, an edge-of-your-seat thriller which was inspired by true events, to get your fix. Produced by Graffi Media Films, this is an independent film that both challenges and inspires its audience with lived-in characters and a real-world atmosphere which proves to be most unsettling when the hidden crimes are explored.
You’ve probably never seen small town life like this before as one town’s fairytale-like existence comes crashing down around two young people.
Directed by Niko Volonakis, this Stonecutter Media release is a top-notch independent thriller with something to say about small town secrets as one female journalist, Tara Manning (Tara Nichol Cadwell), connects the disappearance of a beautiful artist, Lyvia Ricci (also played by Cadwell), to a series of violent murders which took place 20 years earlier.
Moving with a real sense of purpose and a natural rhythm to its expansive narrative, Lyvia’s House is a character-driven thriller with suspense at its heart as unexpected twists and turns keep the mystery from ever being spoiled. The film is purposeful and - thanks to a well-designed cinematic canvas of excellent photography by cinematographer Cody Martin - visually engrossing as one young journalist, after moving to a new home with her new lover, begins an unexpected investigation into the disappearance of an Italian artist.
Only the danger in her disappearance is much closer than it appears. To reveal more, though, would be a sin. This is a marvelously layered narrative and I am going to keep those layers tucked in private for now.
Starring Tara Nichol Caldwell and Joshua Malekos, this Patricia V. Davis-penned screenplay (author of the Secret Spice Cafe book series) is both poignant and pulpy, appealing to both old and young fans of thrillers, as rice fields and orchards in Northern California (while beautiful) are plundered for the morbidity they hide and one really big secret is forced open, revealing its stinking guts for all to gawk at.
And it won’t be pretty either.
Co-starring Danielle Octavien, Ann Marie Gideon, Andrew Diego, Deborah Tucker, Brit Zane, and Cami Oh, Lyvia’s House held a successful festival run, with screenings at Toronto International Women Film Festival where the film took home Best Female Scriptwriter, Nevada Women’s Film Festival, and HorrorFest International. Stonecutter Media will release the film exclusively on Vudu/Fandango at Home and local cable & satellite providers on October 1, with additional platforms including iTunes/Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play to follow October 15.
Lyvia’s House has its door wide open. You should enter it. Just be careful where you look. The surface of these floors aren’t for scratching too deeply. Some cold hard truths will be revealed . . .
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 116 mins
Director: Niko Volonakis
Writer: Patricia V. Davis
Cast: Tara Nichol Caldwell; Joshua Malekos; Danielle Octavien
Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Tagline: We Bloom Where We're Planted.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Her husband left her for another woman. Guess she was one of those who couldn't handle that. But... if we're being honest, blood tells"
Distributor: Stone Cutter Media
Official Site:
Release Date: 10/1/24 - Cable & satellite providers on. Additional platforms 10/15/24.
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: When a young journalist suspects the disappearance of a beautiful artist is connected to murders that took place 20 years earlier, she uncovers a reality she never could have imagined. Inspired by true events.
