The Liars of Black Mountain Road is the third short film directed by Parker Croft. The director co-wrote the film with co-star Nolan Gould. The drama begins right after Ethan (Gould) and Abbie (Millie Gibbons) hit a dog after it abruptly ran in front of their SUV. As the driver, Ethan gets out and inspects everything. He discovers a number on the pet’s ID. He calls it and informs the dog’s owner, Scott (Bill Welden), that he found the dog on the side of the road dead. Abbie feels phrasing it that way is a lie, as they are the ones who hit the dog. But her significant other claims the man on the phone knows that they did. Still, something feels off about this whole thing for Abbie.
Building on this unsettling incident, The Liars of Black Mountain Road asks interesting questions about honesty. Technically, Ethan never lied and is doing the right thing by returning the dog to its owner. But he also never stated all the facts, which is what is bothering Abbie so much. Who is in the right here? Him? Her? Something in between? The story invites the audience to ruminate on that, giving the film a very dense, moral plot. Then there is the question of whether or not Ethan and Abbie’s relationship can survive this ordeal. Again, the filmmakers let all the viewers make up their minds, adding another layer to the proceedings.
“…Ethan and Abbie hit a dog after it abruptly ran in front of their SUV.”
These moral dilemmas are brought to life by the cast’s performances. Gould convincingly embodies Ethan’s slightly manic persona, allowing viewers to question whether his omission was intentional or accidental. Gibbons brings a determined intensity to Abbie’s unwavering pursuit of the truth, making her inner conflict resonant and relatable. Welden, serving as the emotional center, communicates volumes with minimal dialogue, reinforcing the film’s restraint and depth.
Ultimately, The Liars of Black Mountain Road raises questions about what the truth actually means. Croft and Gould are smart enough to leave that answer up to the audience. But they also know how to tactfully introduce and reinforce that idea via the dialogue and character actions. While the plot may seem straightforward, what it is asking audiences to consider is anything but simple.
"…raises questions about what the truth actually means."
