10 Movies Like Caddo Lake (2024) You Must See

‘Caddo Lake’ is an atmospheric and suspenseful mystery thriller that weaves a complex tale of time travel, family, and impossible secrets. Ellie and Paris, each driven by the loss or disappearance of a family member, enter Caddo Lake and find themselves emerging at different points in time, with each of their actions having far-reaching consequences. Written and directed by Logan George and Celine Held, the film masterfully sets up its premise, immersing us in the haunting wetlands and colliding storylines. If you’re looking for movies that parallel the intensity and exhilaration of the Dylan O’Brien starrer, these movies similar to ‘Caddo Like’ should be on your list.

10. Time Trap (2017)

Directed by Ben Foster and Mark Dennis, ‘Time Trap’ is an imaginative sci-fi film that explores a unique and thrilling concept of temporal anomalies like ‘Caddo Lake.’ The story follows a group of archaeology students who venture into a seemingly primeval cave in search of their missing professor. Once inside, they discover that time behaves very differently within its confines. As they delve deeper, even greater mysteries fraught with danger present themselves. Much like ‘Time Trap,’ the film stands out for its intriguing setting and premise, blending elements of science fiction with suspense and adventure.

9. Lola (2022)

From director Andrew Legge, ‘Lola’ is an inventive sci-fi film that explores the impact of time travel on world history as well as personal lives. Set during World War II, the film follows two sisters, Thomasina and Martha, who invent a machine named LOLA, that can intercept broadcasts from the future. Using their creation, they predict key events of the war, giving Britain an edge and becoming heroes.

However, as they push the boundaries of what their machine can do, unforeseen consequences arise, threatening to reshape the course of history. The film is in a black-and-white vintage aesthetic and shot in a found-footage style. Like ‘Caddo Lake,’ it masterfully builds tension amidst a complex narrative of time alteration. Additionally, it expands the scope of its butterfly effect to include a compelling storyline of alternate history.

8. ARQ (2016)

With director Tony Elliott at the helm, ‘ARQ’ transports us to a dystopian future where resources are scarce and a global energy crisis threatens to spiral out of control. The sci-fi thriller follows Renton (Robbie Amell) and Hannah (Rachael Taylor) as they wake up in the middle of a home invasion. While fending off the intruders, Renton realizes they are trapped in a repeating time loop linked to a mysterious energy source, the ARQ, which has the potential to end the global energy crisis.

With each iteration, the stakes get higher, as they must not only survive the attackers but also prevent the ARQ from falling into the wrong hands. Similar to ‘Caddo Lake,’ Netflix’s ‘ARQ’ introduces a powerful temporal anomaly that knits the storyline together. Furthermore, the film adds a healthy dose of fast-paced action to accompany the cerebral thrills.

7. Synchronic (2019)

In the directorial hands of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, ‘Synchronic’ follows two paramedics, Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan), who encounter a series of bizarre, grisly accidents linked to a new designer drug called Synchronic. After tracking down the drug’s creator, Steve begins to uncover the drug’s terrifying ability: it manipulates the pineal gland’s perception of time. Furthermore, it affects children and adults differently, causing them to gaze into an alternate reality of time. Like ‘Caddo Lake,’ ‘Synchronic’ skillfully blends science fiction and an atmospheric setting with deep philosophical questions about mortality, loss, and choice. With its strong performances and thought-provoking story, ‘Synchronic’ stands out as a solid sci-fi thriller with elements of psychological horror.

6. In the Tall Grass (2019)

Netflix’s ‘In the Tall Grass,’ directed by Vincenzo Natali and based on the eponymous 2012 novella by Stephen King and Joe Hill, is a haunting and atmospheric horror film that takes us into a dread-inducing field of towering grass. The story begins when siblings Becky and Cal venture into seemingly endless tall grass after hearing a young boy’s cry for help. Once inside, they meet others and quickly realize that the grass is otherworldly, trapping them in a nightmarish loop.

Much like the swamp in ‘Caddo Lake,’ the tall field of grass creates an atmospheric setting where space and time seem to warp. As the siblings encounter lost souls, including the boy’s family, the sinister forces lurking within the grass reveal themselves. The grass presents a paradoxical environment that is vast yet claustrophobic, laying down the perfect backdrop for the unfolding helplessness and terror.

5. Fractured (2019)

Helmed by Brad Anderson, ‘Fractured’ is a riveting thriller that follows a father’s search for his wife and daughter after they inexplicably vanish at a hospital. Ray Monroe’s (Sam Worthington) family road trip goes horribly wrong when he meets with an accident. When Ray’s wife and injured daughter are taken to a hospital for treatment, they mysteriously disappear without a trace.

What’s even more confounding for Ray is that none of the staff he had seen caring for them seemed to remember who or what he was talking about. As Ray questions his own sanity, the Netflix film will immerse fans of ‘Caddo Lake’ into his mind-bending journey filled with paranoia and uncertainty. Much like in the former film, skillful direction and cinematography build suspense, turning the ordinary into something deeply unsettling.

4. Frequency (2000)

Directed by Gregory Hoblit, ‘Frequency’ is an emotionally charged sci-fi drama that combines time travel with a compelling father-son story. John Sullivan, a detective, accidentally discovers a way to communicate with his father in the past via an old ham radio 30 years after his death. His father, Frank (Dennis Quaid), was a firefighter who died in the line of duty, and John is able to warn him about his tragic fate.

However, their interference with the past triggers the death of a loved one at the hands of a killer. The two use innovative ways to pass information and evidence back and forth through time, hoping to solve the crime and prevent it from taking place. Those who liked the poignant family storylines in ‘Caddo Lake’ will be drawn to the film’s heartfelt performances and intriguing use of sci-fi elements.

3. Mirage (2018)

Directed by Oriol Paulo, ‘Mirage’ is an intriguing Spanish sci-fi thriller that seamlessly weaves together time travel, mystery, and emotional drama. As an unsettling storm looms over their town, Vera Roy, a mother of one, notices that their TV has become a conduit to the past. Through it, she is able to warn a doomed boy of his fate and save his life. However, her actions inadvertently alter the course of her own life, causing her to wake up in a reality where her daughter no longer exists.

Desperate to undo the changes, Vera races against time to alter the timeline once again before the storm dissipates, uncovering the reality behind the chain of events. In a similar vein to ‘Caddo Lake,’ ‘Mirage’ offers a fresh take on time travel, exploring the far-reaching consequences of seemingly small actions. Also known as ‘Durante la tormenta,’ the Netflix movie creates a complex web of timelines while dripping with emotional depth and filled with thought-provoking choices.

2. Primer (2004)

Directed by Shane Carruth, ‘Primer’ centers on two engineers, Aaron and Abe, who accidentally invent a time machine while working on a side project in their garage. As they experiment with their creation, they quickly realize that manipulating time is far more complicated—and dangerous—than they anticipated. To prevent the unimaginable effects of the machine from taking root, one of the engineers travels back to prevent himself from ever using it, leading to increasingly convoluted timelines and existential consequences. Like ‘Caddo Lake,’ the film is a mind-bending exercise in the exploration of time travel and the branching, puzzle-like paths it can create. ‘Primer’ is a low-budget cult classic that is a must-watch for time travel film enthusiasts.

1. Coherence (2013)

Directed by James Ward Byrkit, ‘Coherence’ follows the events of a dinner party which take a reality-bending turn when an astronomical anomaly envelops them. The narrative centers on a group of friends who get together on the night a comet passes close to Earth. As strange phenomena occur, they realize that the boundaries of their dimension are breaking down, causing paranoia and confusion. The film’s unpredictable narrative and thought-provoking exploration of choices and identity make it a standout in the genre. Both ‘Coherence’ and ‘Caddo Lake’ set up an incredibly fascinating sci-fi premise and possibilities, delivering on their storylines with varying degrees of creativity and mindblowing outcomes.