The Cabin in the Woods horror movie review

May 30, 2016

2976

The Cabin in the Woods horror movie review

Title: The Cabin in the Woods
Director: Drew Goddard
Writer(s): Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard
Release Date: April 13, 2012
Cast: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford

The Cabin in the Woods Cliff’s Notes

A group of five college students head off to a cabin in the woods for a little rest and relaxation. You know what follows. Or do you?

Lecture

The Cabin in the Woods is divisive, to say the least. Outside of the horror community, the film was critically acclaimed. It’s often referred to as one of the top films of 2012, not to mention the last decade. Within the community, the reaction was a touch more mixed. Some viewed it as a Scream-worthy addition to the postmodern horror flick. Others thought it a smug retelling of a familiar tale; one that never embraced its source material and served as a way to flip off actual horror fans. Where do I stand?

I love it, both as a critic of film and as a horror fan. The flick is beautifully shot – the production design alone is one of the strongest I’ve seen in recent years – and even the CGI is well incorporated. Add to that a few baller set pieces, a fun group of victims that, for once, have brain one in their heads, and a slew of horror goodies and you’ve got a great little flick.

Cabin in the Woods also boasts a fantastic script that works both as a story and a metaphor for our need for horror. Ultimately, I think this is what pulled some horror fans out of the flick. Horror rarely embraces metaphor – Alien, Scream, and the recent, awesome The Babadook aside – so when it does, the process can seem out of place. And when the metaphor is about horror itself, I can see how some fans might be put off. That, combined with the fact that the film is a little light in the heavy, bone chilling scares, drove some fans away.

And sure, it isn’t perfect. Like a slew of recent horror flicks – All the Boys Love Mandy Lane and Crimson Peak, for example – this puppy doesn’t really go full horror. There are intense sequences and jump scares, but the full out horror is a little absent.

That being said, there’s more than enough to make up for it. The cast is simply perfection- boasting an Oscar Nominee, an Emmy Winner, and the God of Thunder helps – and really elevates the film. Add to that a way-out-there-and-amazing third act and more than a few laughs and you’ve got one of the best flicks of the past few years.

Acting

Hemsworth, Hutchison, and Williams are all solid in their stereotypical roles, while Connolly plays the final girl with aplomb. Likewise, Jenkins and Whitford had me in stiches with their awesome, white collar performances. With lesser actors, the b plot would have fallen flat. Not here! These guys rule! But the true standout is Kranz, who’s Marty is often the highlight of the flick. His stoner character has the best lines and he’s more than capable of making them all stand out. Like hardcore!

Directing

Goddard’s first outing is a great one. His camera work is fantastic and he milks the tension like a champ. He also gets the most out of his production design. But the real triumph is the final act. Taking the film into this new world provides a slew of mouth dropping moments. Nice Job!

Script

There hasn’t been a horror script this solid since Scream. Whedon and Goddard hit the nail on the head with crazy/awesome characters, pitch perfect dialogue, and a truly out there third act that had me grinning like a Pennywise cosplayer.

Effects

We get a ton of fun gore bits – slashed throats, gun shots, and a decapitation – and even more once the third act hits. Plus, this puppy packs so many fun monster bits that it’s almost impossible to catch them all in the first viewing.

Highlights

Speaker phone conversation? Merman? Fran Kranz? All of the above!

Lowlights

Just a little nitpick here. The “why” to this whole equation seems a little too clear, especially early on. It’s still fun, but a touch of reveal would be nice.