[3] The film stars Tuppence Middleton as Abby, a young woman who returns home to Niagara Falls, Ontario, when she inherits a family-owned motel in the city's Clifton Hill tourist district following her mother's death, and becomes obsessed with reconstructing inchoate childhood memories of witnessing a kidnapping.

[4] The film's cast also includes Hannah Gross, Marie-Josée Croze, Andy McQueen, Noah Reid, Dan Lett, Aaron Poole, Connor Jessup, Elizabeth Saunders, and Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, as well as filmmaker David Cronenberg in a rare acting appearance as a local historian and podcaster.

While out fishing and picnicking with her family near their home at Niagara Falls, seven-year-old Abby wanders off and encounters a young, abused boy, hiding in the woods.

Abby meets local conspiracy theorist and podcaster Walter Bell, who is of the opinion that Alex did not commit suicide, as no trace of his body was ever found.

The Moulins manipulate the media attention, pleading their ignorance and innocence of any wrong doing against their son, while making threats of slander lawsuits.

Noticing a newspaper on the desk with Charlie's picture, the guest tells Abby that Lake is not lying and states that in fact, he saved that boy's life.

The website's critics consensus reads, "While admittedly a bit less than the sum of its intriguing parts, Disappearance at Clifton Hill offers an entertaining diversion for noir fans.

[9] Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, writing, "Between its opening image of a fish dangling on a hook (a stand-in for the audience?)

"[10] Radheyan Simonpillai of NOW Toronto gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, writing, "Niagara's clash between gaudy neon lights, dingy diners, shadowy alleys and general David Lynch vibes sets the stage for a mystery that may only be imagined.

"[11] Barry Hertz of The Globe and Mail gave the film 3.5 out of 4, writing that "Clifton Hill becomes just as thrilling and disturbing as its titular strip of haunted houses and fading-fast motels.