The Valley of Light
6.7/10 · 1,583 ratings20061h 37mWeirdness 7/10
Where to watch
Via 
JustWatch · can change anytime.
The premise
Returning to USA after WWII, Noah goes wandering and angling. He comes to a small town and valley to catch a huge bass. He meets a cute widow and other good people there.
How unusual is it?
More than most. Angels/heaven, ghosts/spirits and psychic/visions push it well past the usual Hallmark template — the strangest 12% of everything we've logged.
A rare specific
Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.
Who’s in it
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The protagonist is literally sent on a quest by a ghost.
- A central character is a mute child who tragically drowns, which is exceptionally dark for a Hallmark film.
- The grandmother-in-law is depicted as having a borderline addiction to chocolate bars.
- The film deals heavily with the suicide of a veteran (Boyd).
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 25 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Setting2
Time & season3
Characters6
Conflict2
Tone & quirks2
How it ends2
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
The film begins with Noah Locke returning from World War II to find his family farm sold and his parents deceased. His only remaining family, his brother Travis, is in prison. While wandering, Noah meets Hoke Moore, an old man who claims to see the spirits of Noah's parents and tells him of a 'Valley of Light' containing a legendary bass. Noah travels to the valley and is welcomed by the local sheriff and a talkative store owner named Taylor. He takes a job painting Taylor's store and begins catching catfish for the locals, quickly gaining a reputation for his preternatural fishing skills. He meets Eleanor Chatwin, a widow whose husband, Boyd, committed suicide after returning from the war, and her chocolate-obsessed grandmother-in-law, Beatrice. Noah also befriends Matthew, a mute boy being raised by Howard and Ada Reynolds. Noah moves into a cabin on Eleanor's property—the same cabin where her husband died—and a quiet romance begins to bloom between them as they bond over their shared wartime trauma. The town prepares for a major fishing contest, but tragedy strikes when Matthew, inspired by Noah's stories of the legendary bass, goes missing. The town conducts a massive search, but Noah eventually finds Matthew's body in the 'Lake of No Fish.' Devastated and blaming himself, Noah prepares to leave the valley. However, a chance encounter with the legendary fisherman Littleberry Davis reveals that Hoke Moore died five years prior. Realizing Hoke was an angel or ghost who guided him to the valley to heal, Noah decides to stay. He writes to his brother Travis, telling him he has finally found a place to call home and inviting him to join him once he is released from prison.
Beat by beat
Opening
Noah Locke returns from WWII to find his family home gone and his brother in prison.
Inciting Incident
Noah meets Hoke Moore, a mysterious man who sees ghosts and directs him to the Valley of Light.
Midpoint
Noah settles into the community, begins a romance with Eleanor, and bonds with the mute boy, Matthew.
Climax
Matthew goes missing and is found drowned in the lake, causing Noah to spiral into guilt.
Twist
Noah learns that Hoke Moore has been dead for five years, confirming a supernatural intervention.
Resolution
Noah chooses to stay in the valley and finds peace, writing to his brother about their new home.
25 tropes in one movie
We counted 25 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Higher-rated than 70% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog The Valley of Light belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
- Weirdest Hallmark MoviesScores 7/10 on our weirdness scale — comfortably in the strange end.
- Hallmark Supernatural MoviesHas a supernatural element.
- Hallmark Ghost MoviesA ghost plays a part.
- Hallmark Angel MoviesAn angel lends a hand.
- Hallmark Dog & Pet MoviesA four-legged matchmaker.
- Hallmark Baking & Cooking MoviesPlenty of time in the kitchen.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“What you wanna lose is that cloak of grief about your shoulders.”
— Hoke MooreHoke advising Noah to let go of his wartime trauma. “I don't believe in ghosts. Neither do I. Only angels.”
— Hoke MooreHoke explaining his ability to see the dead to Noah. “Maybe if you keep walking you'll find a valley where no one has ever suffered a broken heart. But I'll wager to say, that will be a loveless place.”
— Eleanor ChatwinEleanor trying to convince Noah not to run away from his grief.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Noah Locke
LeadVeteran / Fisherman
QuietSkilledGrievingKindEleanor Chatwin
Love interestFarmer / Caretaker
Landlady and romantic interest
ResilientLonelyCompassionateMatthew
SupportingChild
Protégé and friend
MuteCuriousObservantHoke Moore
SupportingGhost / Angel
Supernatural guide
MysticalEncouragingWiseTaylor Bowers
SupportingStore Owner
Employer and friend
TalkativeFriendlyEntrepreneurial
Questions people ask about The Valley of Light
Where can I watch The Valley of Light?
The Valley of Light is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is The Valley of Light?
The Valley of Light runs about 1 hour and 37 minutes, and was released in 2006.
More like this
Browse all moviesIf you liked this one, you’ll probably like these. The chips show what they have in common.
Finding John Christmas
6.32003 · Christmas
- Small Town
- Angels/Heaven
- Supernatural
The Good Witch's Garden
7.12009
- Small Town
- Psychic/Visions
- Supernatural
Christmas in Angel Falls
6.52017 · Christmas
- Small Town
- Angels/Heaven
- Supernatural
A Heavenly Christmas
6.42016 · Christmas
- Angels/Heaven
- Supernatural
- Pet
Expecting a Miracle
6.32009
- Small Town
- Angels/Heaven
- Supernatural
A Town Without Christmas
6.22001 · Christmas
- Small Town
- Angels/Heaven
- Supernatural
Talking Hallmark
Love talking about these as much as watching them?
So do we. Come hang out on the Talking Hallmark channel, where we dig into movies just like this one, episode after episode.
Watch the latest episode
“I watched Hallmark’s WORST Christmas movie (so you don’t have to)”
Data and sources
Curated by the Talking Hallmark team.