Dig Two Graves tells the age-old tale of revenge, but in a unique and touching way. Spanning the 1940s to the 1970s, this films follows the story of a young girl, Jake (played by Samantha Isler), who is still reeling from the death of her older brother, and her grandfather, Sheriff Waterhouse (played by Ted Levine) who is haunted by the deeds he has committed in the past. Jake turns to her grandfather to help her mourn her brother’s death, but when offered an impossible deal by three strange moonshiners who seem to appear everywhere, she must make an unfathomable decision that she could regret for the rest of her life. As it comes down to life or death, revenge dredges up the past of three families bound by blood.
This film was filled with interesting and well-formed characters. Jake emits the quiet depression of dealing with a big loss at such a young age. As confusion and emotions mix, she becomes more desperate and the usual sources of solace no longer sooth the pain. She looks for anything to ease the despair and becomes a perfect target for the three moonshiners. Along this line, Ted Levine does an amazing job as Sheriff Waterhouse, portraying the constant battle of an adult to pass on the wisdom they have acquired and not the life-altering mistakes.
The film itself is very well paced, moving quickly and giving the viewer a constant stream of information without feeling rushed or revealing its hand too soon. Not to mention, the cinematography is gorgeous. The constant contrast of warm and cool colors and the rustic imagery gives the film an almost old-timey feeling, while the images of nature exacerbate the powerful feeling of the magical and the mysterious that runs through the film.
On the mysterious end, the three moonshiners, portrayed by Troy Ruptash, Mark Lancaster, and Gregorio Parker, create an imposing and creepy force, drawing Jake into the darkness of magic. The tension they generate is only elevated by the flashbacks that give a peek into the dark energy that flows through the forests surrounding this little town. The title of this feature has a special and mysterious meaning of its own. Coming from a Chinese proverb that states “before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves,” this film brings home the idea of revenge and self-destruction as a two for one deal, entangled together. Showing how remaining in the past and clinging to notions of vengeance will inevitable lead to your own demise.
