Originally written June 4, 2013

The Cabin in the Woods is a very difficult movie to review, because it’s really, really good, but I’m not able to say why without spoiling it. Being directed/written by Drew Goddard, and co-written by Joss Whedon, we’re given a horror movie that does something so completely different. Seriously, you will probably never see another kind of movie like this, and everything it does is completely awesome.

In terms of plot, there’s only a few things I can say. Basically, the beginning fakes you out because it starts off like any other basic, typical horror movie. There’s five friends who all fit different archetypes that are common in horror movies (virgin girl, smart guy, tough guy, bad girl, stoner guy). They decide to go on a vacation out to a cabin in the woods that one of the guy’s cousins owns. They go there, typical bad stuff starts happening that’s common in horror movies. However, there’s a big twist to it all. Right at the beginning of the movie, you find out there’s an organization of people that are leading this group to the cabin, because they want to have these stereotype characters go through the motions so that they can be killed off by unleashing monsters on them. How is this being done? Why are they doing it? That’s the real intrigue to the film, and something I could never spoil for anyone.

The only other things I can really say about it is that from a technical standpoint, everything is done pretty well. There weren’t any areas I found to be lacking anyway. Great direction, smart script, acting fits for the roles being given (stoner guy was my favorite), the blood/gore and effects all looked pretty cool. My only real complaint is that the ending feels a little rushed. Once you find out the complete truth to what’s going on, the movie is practically over. Still, the rest is pretty awesome. What I liked about it the most is that the more that gets revealed in the story, the more possibilities open up for what could happen. It’s one of those movies where you can think of a really crazy possibility of where it could go from there…and then it does. This movie quite honestly has one of the best climaxes I’ve ever seen. It gets really crazy. While this is more an homage/satire for the horror genre, I’d still recommend this to any horror movie fans, or just people who like different movies.

4.5/5