Lore and her four brothers and sisters are forced to embark on a very dangerous journey across a devastated Germany during the second world war. Left orphans after their parents were sent to concentration camps, the five must rely on a mysterious person in order to survive the harsh conditions they're about to face on their way to a distant Hamburg, where their grandmother lived.It's a very dramatic movie which describes in detail the cruel life that German people were living. Although I am interested in history and also fascinated by it, this movie wasn't truly capable of presenting its story in a way that can capture my attention. It is boring most of the time and inexplicably graphic. I understand that it contributes to a very dramatic atmosphere but I think that this part is exaggerated (this isn't a horror movie after all). I enjoyed the main actors but Lore's character simply made me scratch my head numerous times. She makes so many decisions that I simply cannot understand while her act in the finale is as stupid and as idiotic as the finale itself. She worked so hard to get there and still wasn't happy? It was her choice! Why wasn't she happy? Why? I did enjoy the decor and the landscapes which were well chosen and described but the overall feeling left by this movie was unsatisfying.It had potential and a good idea but they weren't fully exploited. Furthermore, from what I understood that happened in the novel it's based on ("The Dark Room" by Rachel Seiffert), the ending isn't as it is depicted in the movie, the one from the book being different in a better and much more interesting way. An average movie and nothing more.

With Shortland's new movie Berlin Syndrome just out, I urge readers to see her previous effort, quite brilliant, grimly memorable, and cruelly under-watched.In general terms, there should be a 50-year moratorium on WWII movies, but every so often you get a Downfall or Son of Saul or Lore that completely breaks the mould.

As the Allies close in, Lore (Saskia Rosendahl) and her Nazi parents try to hide in the countryside. Her parents are fighting. Her new life is rustic. First her father abandons them. Then her mother leaves telling her that the Allies kill the children. Finally they are kicked out of the farm by the owner. She has to lead her four younger siblings to their grandmother in Hamburg. The world is a dangerous place filled with desperate people. They are helped out by Holocaust survivor Thomas but she is conflicted about the parasitic Jew.This is a little thought provoking movie. It's a fascinating journey of a young woman trying to come to terms with the lies of her parents. It's not simplified. There are twists and turns. They are not out of line. The journey probably needs a few more dangerous moments to elevate the tension. For the most parts, it's a slow simmering tension. This is more about Lore's personal journey of her thinking about the war and her parents.

"Lore" hooked me pretty quickly as I enjoy this genre of movies - combining an extremely important piece of history with an engaging story.The movie reminded me some of "The Road" due to it being similar to a post-apocalyptic journey. Of course "Lore" is a about a story that could have really taken place while "The Road" is about a fictionalized end of the world scenario. The accounts that I have studied regarding post WW2 Germany has been described as apocalyptic. Other factors that made me believe that "Lore" is accurately describing the post WW2 scene:The many suicides in the country that took place.The brain washing of the young and the influence Hitler had on the youth in Germany.The dichotomy of the German psyche with the differing views of those that believed in the regime and those that did not.There is great character development the lead character "Lore" was first rate. You can see the various degrees the NAZI doctrine had on each of the characters and the potential for it to finally be removed from their psyches. The younger girl was excellent as well. Great acting all around.