"A writer inspired by water… and murders."

A writer, Stanley, isolates himself in a rented cottage where is inspired by the murders he just happens to commit. The drowns women and frequently goes and takes care of their bodies, in the depths of the lake, by dressing them like dolls.

Doubts arise but no one suspects Stanley because in appearance, he is a normal, friendly man and is not too much of a hermit for a writer.

Cabin by the Lake has trouble orchestrating itself. During some moments, it offers sensational underwater images, during some others, it is at the limits of taboos. We even have the feeling we are watching a slasher movie or that a research on psychopaths gave birth to the film. All of this is realized by Judd Nelson who is excellent at doing what he does best: confuse the spectator.

Certainly, this movie is not a collection of violent scenes but is still a good film. If the story had been taken more seriously, it could have given birth a cult film. However, because it is only a made for TV movie that cannot allow this to happen, we will let the prejudice that claims these movie to be trash grow until it becomes a "postjudice".