Echo Valley hits Apple TV+ on June 13.
Despite its marquee stars and intriguing setup, Echo Valley is yet another polished but forgettable Apple TV+ original. It’s the kind of film that feels built for the streaming era, not because it’s too bold or risky for theaters, but because it simply lacks the punch to justify a big-screen release.
Set on a remote Pennsylvania horse farm, the thriller centers on Kate Garrett (Julianne Moore), a grieving mother still reeling from her wife’s death. One night, her estranged daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney) shows up covered in someone else’s blood, kicking off a twisty, slow-burn plot involving addiction, shady dealers, and a dangerous cover-up. The story should be gripping, but in practice, it plays out flat and emotionally disengaged.
Moore and Sweeney do their best with the material, and their tense mother-daughter dynamic is the film’s main selling point. But even their combined star power can’t fully overcome the movie’s lack of bite. Domhnall Gleeson, as a quietly menacing drug dealer named Jackie, ends up being the highlight. Every time he’s on screen, the energy lifts, though not quite enough to save the whole affair.
To its credit, Echo Valley is decently paced. You won’t find yourself bored. But the production value screams “streaming filler,” with an oddly flat aesthetic that dulls any cinematic ambition. It’s easy to see why this never hit theaters.
Ultimately, Echo Valley lands in the pile of Apple TV+ originals that look good on paper, but fail to deliver. If you’re a diehard fan of Moore, Sweeney, or Gleeson, it might be worth a casual watch. Otherwise, there’s no reason to rush.
I give Echo Valley a C+.
TV and City 