'The Cabin in the Woods' Review

© 2012 - Lionsgate Inc

The Cabin in the Woods (2011) - Lionsgate, Mutant Enemy

Directed by Drew Goddard

Written by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon

Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford

I’ve made a pretty good start on my Top 50 Films I’ve Been Meaning to See list this week, having already knocked two off (including this one) and a third planned for tomorrow. My girlfriend decided to do some work on her university coursework, and whilst it would have been a good use of time for me to be doing the same thing, I decided to watch a film. So why start with The Cabin in the Woods? Well, I logged on to Netflix, and a friend of mine had watched it recently, so I pressed play.

This film had made my Top 50 because I’d read about it and it sounded like a fairly interesting premise (although I was not prepared for what happened... more on that later). Plus Joss Whedon wrote and produced it so I was fairly certain I was in for something awesome. For anyone who hasn’t seen the film it basically takes the classic ‘group of teenager alone in the woods’ trope, so commonly used in horror films, and picks it apart piece by piece.

The first 30 minutes of the film follows the same beats as most classic horror films, but it’s so self aware you know that the film is going to take you to places you wouldn’t normally expect to go. A lot of laughs are to be had at the actors really playing up their “roles” (As TCITW puts it; The Virgin, The Whore, The Athlete, The Scholar and The Fool) early on in the film. What makes this film stand out from the very beginning is the alternate storyline being told of two office workers.

© 2012 - Lionsgate Inc

The two office workers (I’m terrible with names and too lazy to look it up on IMDB) were, for me, the most enjoyable part of the film. During the first 30 minutes of the film their dialogue is written so well that you often forget that you’re watching a horror film. The two characters are constantly (for lack of a better phrase) shooting the shit. They are just sharing general banter between co-workers with hints (some subtle, some obvious) dropped in as to what they are involved with. Pay attention because they drop some hints as to what will happen later on in the film.

I said just then that it often feels like you aren’t watching a horror film and I’d say just calling The Cabin in the Woods a “horror” film would be an insult to what it truly is. I can’t really say anything more about it without spoiling it so I’ll wrap this up.

© 2012 - Lionsgate Inc

The Cabin in the Woods is definitely a film worth watching if you get the chance. Running at just over 90 minutes it doesn’t lose it’s pace and keeps you entertained throughout, offering up so many twists it definitely welcomes itself to repeat viewings. If you’re a fan of horror movies, or you think horror movies are stupid, then this film is for you. Only avoid it if you’re not a fan of anything gory because shit goes down in this film. Cleverly written and brilliantly acted, with beautiful shots and good pace kept by first time director Drew Goddard.

Where to watch it - It’s on Netflix (both US & UK), you could rent it on DVD/Bluray, or it costs less than £10 in most supermarket bargain sections and online and if you’re already a fan of Joss Whedon then chances are you’ll love this so it might be worth just splashing out for the DVD and getting instant access to the commentary, I know I want to.