🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Oren Uziel
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 26min
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10 (17K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A sheriff investigates a bank robbery gone wrong, but backwards, so you’re basically watching the aftermath before the heist, which is confusing but kinda cool, I guess.
🍿 Shimmer Lake: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Aftermath: Friday
The film opens on Friday, the day after a bank robbery in a small town. Sheriff Zeke Sikes is investigating the crime, while his brother Andy is on the run with the stolen money. As Zeke investigates, he discovers that his brother and two of his childhood friends, Ed and Chris, are involved. The day unfolds with violence and unexpected twists as Zeke races to bring the criminals to justice.

Unraveling the Plan: Thursday
The story moves back to Thursday, revealing more about the planning of the robbery and the relationships between the characters. We learn that Andy, a local prosecutor, helped Chris and Ed get away with a previous crime. The day is filled with betrayals and shifting alliances as the details of the heist begin to come into focus.

The Motives Emerge: Wednesday and Tuesday
As the timeline continues to rewind, the motives behind the robbery become clearer. It’s revealed that a past tragedy connects the characters, and revenge plays a significant role in their actions. The final day, Tuesday, shows the planning stages of the robbery and the events that set the entire scheme in motion, highlighting the intricate web of relationships and long-held secrets.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Zeke Sikes (Benjamin Walker): The local sheriff investigating a bank robbery that involves his own brother and uncovers a deeper conspiracy.
- Andy Sikes (Rainn Wilson): Zeke’s brother, a corrupt prosecutor, is one of the perpetrators of the bank robbery.
- Steph Burton (Stephanie Sigman): Chris’ wife who is entangled in the crime due to past events and plays a key role in the aftermath.
- Chris Morrow (Mark Rendall): One of the bank robbers, driven by past injustices and seeking a way out of his troubled life.
- Judge Brad Dawkins (John Michael Higgins): The owner of the bank being robbed, a corrupt judge blackmailed into facilitating the heist.
- Ed Burton (Wyatt Russell): One of the bank robbers with a connection to Steph and a shared history with the other criminals.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Zeke Sikes: “Because if I ate your mommy’s breakfast, I’d end up a fat fucking bastard like everybody else in this town.” – Zeke says this to his niece when she asks why he didn’t eat his sister’s breakfast, revealing his contempt for his hometown.
- Zeke Sikes: “You know what they say. Once you take a life, it’s always easier the second time.” – Zeke delivers this chilling line to Chris, hinting at his own dark nature and capacity for violence.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Shimmer Lake Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into Shimmer Lake expecting a Memento-esque mind-bender, and while it wasn’t quite that level, I was still hooked! The backwards storytelling was super engaging, and I loved trying to piece everything together. The twist at the end totally got me! I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different and enjoy a good crime story.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers”
- “Viewers who enjoy non-linear storytelling”
- “People who like dark humor and unexpected twists”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Strong language”
- “Drug use”
- “Brief graphic content”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Shimmer Lake is a cleverly constructed crime thriller that uses its non-linear narrative to enhance the mystery. The performances are solid, and the twist ending is genuinely surprising. It’s a fresh take on a familiar genre that keeps you guessing until the very end.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “While the backwards storytelling is initially intriguing, ‘Shimmer Lake’ eventually loses steam. The characters are somewhat underdeveloped, and the plot becomes convoluted. However, the dark humor and occasional moments of suspense make it a decent watch.
Audience Reactions
The backwards storytelling kept me guessing until the very end!: Most viewers appreciated the unique narrative structure and the surprising twists.
It’s like a dark and twisted Fargo!: Fans enjoyed the dark humor and quirky characters reminiscent of Fargo.
Overall Consensus: Shimmer Lake is a clever and entertaining crime thriller that uses its non-linear narrative to create a unique viewing experience. While not perfect, its dark humor, quirky characters, and surprising twists make it a worthwhile watch.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The original screenplay for Shimmer Lake was featured on the 2009 Black List, a selection of the most-liked unproduced screenplays in Hollywood.”
- “Oren Uziel, known for writing action comedies, took a different approach with Shimmer Lake, crafting a dark, intricate crime story.”
- “The movie is filmed in Acton, Ontario, Canada”
🖥️ How to Watch Shimmer Lake?
Shimmer Lake is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. However, availability may change, so be sure to check those platforms periodically.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Shimmer Lake, you might like these similar films:
- Memento (2000): Both films utilize a non-linear, reverse storytelling structure to unravel a complex mystery.
- Fargo (1996): Shares a similar dark, quirky tone with incompetent criminals and small-town crime.
- Pulp Fiction (1994): Features a non-linear narrative that pieces together different storylines.
🛒 Shimmer Lake Related Products
- Shimmer Lake [Blu-ray]: A must have Blu-ray copy for fans who appreciate inventive storytelling and want to experience the mystery again with sharp visual details. Great for adding a collector’s piece to the shelf.
- Crime Thriller Movie Collection [DVD]: Includes ‘Memento’, ‘Pulp Fiction’ and more. Ideal for fans of intricate plots, twists, and compelling characters. Get instant access to this must-see film and enjoy on any device.
- Shimmer Lake Official Movie Poster: Capture the essence of Shimmer Lake with this high-quality print poster to showcase your love for the inventive crime thriller.
- Small Town Crime Board Game: Test your detective skills in this immersive board game set in a gritty small town. Featuring complex cases, intriguing characters, and unexpected twists.
🎧 Soundtrack
Shimmer Lake features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Shimmer Lake is a crime thriller told in reverse chronological order, following a sheriff’s investigation into a bank robbery in a small town. The film explores themes of revenge, justice, and the complex relationships between the characters involved.
The non-linear narrative enhances the mystery and suspense, gradually revealing the motivations and connections between the characters. This storytelling approach keeps the audience engaged and allows for surprising twists to unfold.
The sheriff is Zeke Sikes, played by Benjamin Walker. He is investigating the bank robbery, but the ending reveals his deep involvement in the events due to a past tragedy and desire for revenge.
🔥 Bonus Content
Shimmer Lake 2017 Explained In Hindi | Dark Secrets
Ever felt a little lost with Shimmer Lake’s non-linear storyline? This video breaks it all down! Even if you don’t speak Hindi, the visual cues and clear explanations might just help you piece together the puzzle – it definitely cleared things up for me!
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