Five college students, including Dana (Kristen Connolly) and Curt (Chris Hemsworth), arrive at a remote cabin. Planning to enjoy their vacation they unknowingly become pawns in a deadly game. With hidden cameras and trip wires charting their every move, their traumas are overseen by a mysterious ‘Director’ (Sigourney Weaver). Battling zombies, werewolves and other wicked ghouls, their lives hang by a thread – all for the amusement of an audience determined they meet their doom.
Mixing together many genre staples ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ is a very subversive film. Whilst providing the scares one expects, it turns the traditional horror elements on its head. With an unseen cabal of technicians holding the fate of the students in their hands, the power they wield conjures some scary and humorous moments. Those elements usually don’t work well together but Whedon’s and co-writer/director Drew Goddard’s screenplay has some wild fun with the premise.
Although much blood is spilt, ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ isn’t a gore-fest and remembers to be scary. Scenes set within the cabin highlight the thrills even if more were needed. Character development could have been better although the actors seem to enjoy portraying the standard horror archetypes. Events become totally off the wall towards the conclusion but by this time the movie ensures you’re along for the ride with a monster-mash rarely seen.
‘The Cabin in the Woods’ breathes some fresh life into a somewhat stagnant genre. Capturing the essence of a good spook-fest, fans should enjoy this wryly amusing foray in spectral delights.
Movie Review Rating 6 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
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