Ruth Platt’s “Martyrs Lane,” currently available on Amazon Prime, immerses viewers in a ghost story that gradually evolves from simple supernatural dread into a deeply moving exploration of grief.
Initially, the sense of foreboding stems from the supernatural elements; however, as the story reveals, it reveals a profound tale of sorrow. The ghostly presence does not emerge from a realm beyond death but rather from the repercussion of loss.
Leah’s childhood innocence clashes with the harsh realities of her mother’s past (Photo: Martyrs Lane/Ipso Facto Productions, British Film Institute (BFI), and Martyrs Lane Production)Built upon this supernatural foundation, the film ultimately focuses on the universally relatable experience of grief, which serves as the driving force behind “Martyrs Lane.”
Martyrs Lane (2021) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis
In a secluded countryside vicarage, Leah (Kiera Thompson) lives with her family. Her household consists of her father, Thomas (Steven Cree), who serves as the church’s priest, her older sister Bex (Hannah Rae), who occasionally bullies her ten-year-old sibling, and her mother, Sarah (Denise Gough).
Sarah appears perpetually preoccupied and distant, exhibiting a caring demeanor that lacks warmth. Meanwhile, Thomas dotes on Leah, but her mother’s emotional coldness leaves Leah restless at night.
Leah is inexplicably drawn to her mother’s locket, and one day, she seizes the opportunity to take it. Inside, she discovers a small coil of golden hair, which she decides to keep. From that moment on, Leah begins to encounter another girl (Sienna Sayer) adorned with makeshift angel wings who starts to follow her.
With her ingrained kindness and teachings of generosity from her church upbringing, Leah invites the winged girl to her home. The spectral visitor appears during the night, forging a bond with Leah.
Initially, their connection is strong as they play a game called “Two Truths, One Lie,” during which the ghostly girl reveals unknown truths about Leah’s family, particularly concerning her mother, Sarah.
She also instructs Leah to seek out what she has lost. Leah initially assumes this refers to the hair from her mother’s locket. However, her findings include small alphabet blocks, reminiscent of those from a bracelet, with each encounter yielding letters: “L,” “E,” “H,” and “A.”
At first, Leah thinks these letters might spell her name. However, as more letters appear, including a “C,” her suspicions about the ghostly girl’s intentions grow as she begins to feel frightened by her words and her wounds. Sensing this, Bex offers to spend the night with Leah, but the ghostly girl does not visit that evening.
The next day, Bex and Thomas leave to prepare Bex for college. That night, the ghost returns, leaving Leah with another letter: “R.” Leah realizes the name she is uncovering—Rachel.
Martyrs Lane (2021) Movie Ending Explained
As the climax unfolds, Sarah discovers Leah surrounded by the letter beads. When Leah inquires about them, Sarah breaks down and reveals the story of Rachel, her deceased daughter, who was younger than Bex.
Tragically, Rachel was killed in a road accident when a speeding joyrider struck her while she was riding her bike, adorned with makeshift wings. The incident took place on Martyrs Lane, the same location where Leah was sent to retrieve one of the letter beads from the ghost, now identified as Rachel.
The joyrider was part of their community, the son of a prominent local figure named Lilian. This connection explains Sarah’s anger when Lilian gifts a cake to Leah, prompting her to dispose of it. Sarah’s devastation over Rachel’s death prevented her from processing her grief, especially as she was pregnant with Leah at the time.
Ghostly encounters reveal buried truths in a secluded countryside vicarage (Photo: Martyrs Lane/Ipso Facto Productions, British Film Institute (BFI), and Martyrs Lane Production)Leah’s birth coincided with her mother’s overwhelming sorrow, presenting a horrifying reality for the young girl. Both Bex and Thomas avoided mentioning Rachel to spare Sarah further pain.
When Rachel’s ghost next visits, both Leah and Sarah are present. Sarah, filled with a bittersweet mix of joy and sadness, experiences a flood of emotions. The possessive spirit of Rachel attempts to take Sarah away, leading Leah to plead with her mother not to abandon her.
This dynamic illustrates the eternal sibling rivalry for parental affection. However, Sarah struggles to resist Rachel’s pull, as Rachel embodies the grief that has overshadowed their lives, while Leah represents hope.
Much like a victim grappling with depression, Sarah remains trapped in her sorrow. In this way, she has consistently favored Rachel over Leah. Rachel assures Leah that she will soon acquire real angel wings, suggesting that her transition to an angel could symbolize her release from suffering and acceptance of peace beyond life. Perhaps, with Sarah by her side, both could escape the emotional limbo they inhabit.
What Happens to Leah?
Leah’s loss is evident on her young face, particularly when she observes her mother’s ghostly figure playing the piano, accompanied by Rachel’s outline. However, there is a glimmer of hope for Leah, as the piece her mother wrote is specifically intended for her.
The family’s move signifies a fresh start after enduring dual tragedies in one location. It seems likely that Thomas, Bex, and Leah might find the closure they seek in a new environment.
The Incident with the Guest’s Infant Son
While perhaps unrelated, a scene involving a young girl and her infant son living in the vicarage may cause some confusion. Leah forms a close bond with them. One day, the infant chokes on a button, but fortunately, he is saved just in time. The button was one Leah had sewn onto Sarah’s cardigan and was also a toy that Rachel used to play with.
Although there is a logical explanation for the incident, given that the infant was teething and Leah’s novice sewing skills may not have secured the button properly, the jealous spirit of Rachel could also be influencing events, driven by her possessive nature towards Sarah and perhaps Leah as well.
