Kaaterskill Falls

You just know something terrible is going to happen. But when it does, you're entirely unprepared

Due to budget constraints, the movie is necessarily rough around the edges. But directors Josh Apter and Peter Olsen have a sure grasp of how to maintain a mood that chills long after the movie is over.

Establishes its ominous mood and tension swiftly, and if the suspense never rises to a higher level, it is nevertheless maintained throughout.

There is a lot to like in Kaaterskill Falls. The characters are engaging and believable even when events stretch the envelope of realistic behavior.

The film is surprisingly successful in developing a sense of mounting dread.

The filmmakers skillfully evoke the sense of menace that nature holds for many urban dwellers. -- Sometimes, though, the editing is choppy, and the film could use more of a script.

Testy characters don't really make for enjoyable viewing, and as game as the actors are, their arguing sounds forced, and they can't improvise their way around the contrivance of the story.