Situated about 60 miles from Atlanta, Lake Sidney Lanier, popularly known as Lake Lanier, stretches across five North Georgia counties, flaunting its 692-mile shoreline. Created in 1956 by the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River, this lake’s picturesque views contrast sharply with its eerie origin tale. This lake not only submerged over 50,000 acres of farmland but also uprooted 250 families. The most unsettling part? Almost 20 cemeteries had to be relocated, with lingering rumors suggesting that not all remains were properly moved, possibly leaving many souls forever trapped underwater. This backstory has propelled Lake Lanier to be dubbed one of America’s most haunted lakes.
Lake Lanier: A Recreation Hub with a Dark Past
Every summer, Lake Lanier attracts roughly 11.8 billion visitors—almost the same number as Disney World’s Epcot Theme Park. While this popular recreational spot offers fun water activities, its record is tainted by a grim history of accidents. Since its inception in 1956, the lake has sadly witnessed the loss of over 700 lives due to drownings and accidents, not mentioning numerous severe injuries.
Although its death toll doesn’t rank in America’s top ten deadliest lakes, Lake Lanier holds a unique and haunting distinction. It’s not just the largest lake in Georgia but is widely known as the most haunted.
Enter the World of “Lanier”
With such an intriguing backstory, it was only a matter of time before Lake Lanier became the inspiration for a film. This eerie allure is captured in Lanier, a feature film conceptualized and executed by the talented pair, William Eric Bush-Anderson and Cindy Estenfanie Kunz-Anderson. Other creative minds involved include Michael Schill, Meliek Gaynor, Kanishk Grover, and Dave Rajkumar, all coming together to unravel the mysteries surrounding the lake.
Set in the present day, the plot revolves around Detective Jeff Stevenson, who plans a serene weekend getaway at the lake with his family. But serenity is soon disrupted by a suspicious drowning incident. As Stevenson collaborates with local Detective Daniel Wilson, he discovers the chilling lore of Oscarville, a submerged black community with its own set of chilling tales, including the tragic story of Mae Crowe from 1912. The narrative takes a thrilling twist as Stevenson’s family becomes the target of mysterious assailants. Does this have anything to do with the lake’s haunting past?
Stellar Cast and Characters
Ali Ashtigo takes center stage as Detective Jeff Stevenson, with Jamie Lee portraying his wife, Jane. Their daughter Kayla’s role goes to Riley Madison Fuller. The tale also includes local detective Daniel Williams, enacted by Jarrett Michael Collins, and his daughter, Tasha, played by Ava Metallo. The film boasts a diversified cast with Chris Johnson, Shekeb Sekander, and Angel McCoughtry playing significant parts, each adding their unique flavor to the storyline.
How and Where to Watch “Lanier”
Cinematic enthusiasts can catch Lanier during its limited release on September 9 and 10 at Mode X Studios in Atlanta and Focal Center Theater in Cummings. And if you aren’t in Georgia, don’t worry. The film is set for a VOD release on September 16, with further streaming releases scheduled for early October on popular platforms like Amazon, Tubi, and YouTube Movies.
Other Watch Recommendations
While waiting for Lanier to grace your screens, delve into the Expedition X series available on Discovery Go and Max. Especially episode 7, “Lake of the Dead,” where the chilling history of Lake Lanier is explored. For those leaning towards fiction, the Australian film Lake Mungo from 2008 offers a gripping tale of supernatural events following a young woman’s drowning.
Conclusion
Lake Lanier, with its captivating beauty juxtaposed with a haunting past, serves as a powerful backdrop for stories that can chill us to our cores. As Lanier is set to make its mark on screens, viewers will be left contemplating the deep-seated mysteries that such places can harbor. It’s a tale of beauty, tragedy, and the supernatural, all converging in one mesmerizing location.
