The Cabin In The Woods
Five college friends head out to a remote cabin in the woods for some rest and relaxation; but, unbeknownst to them, they’re actually set to be the entertainment in what appears to be some sort of reality TV-esque game of death. Now it’s up to Dana, Curt, Jules, Marty, and Holden (Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, and Jesse Williams) to survive the ordeal and outsmart two cocky producers (Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford). But, who’s really watching the ritual and who will pay the ultimate price if things don’t turn out as expected.
Written as a love letter to the entire horror genre writers Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard effectively have created a gem for folks who love to be scared and manage to keep their sense of humor in tact at the same time. Acting from the ensemble is a direct hit to the archetypes of horror, at times predictable but also loved, laughable, and still leaving room for the unexpected. And, with winks, nods, and direct references to so many horror films, including a merman, the film works as practically a complete encyclopedia of who’s who and what’s what in the genre. If there’s one thing that can stop the Hunger Games this weekend it’s The Cabin In The Woods, which incidentally is rated R.