IN DRIVE-INS AND THEATERS NATIONWIDE AUGUST 14 | AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL & VOD SEPTEMBER 18
Murder in the Woods (2017)
R – horror violence, language, drug and alcohol use, and some sexuality| 1h 30min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller | Website: www.murderinthewoodsmovie.com
MURDER IN THE WOODS is centered on a group of college friends who plan a getaway to celebrate a birthday party at a desolate cabin in the woods. Against his grandmother’s (Soledad St. Hilaire) demands, Jesse (José Julián), a loner-type decides to go on a trip with his friends. He is immediately smitten with Fernanda (Jeanette Samano), a sweet girl from Chicago whom he hasn’t seen in years. She is in town visiting her loudmouth cousin, Chelsea (Chelsea Rendon), who is ready to celebrate her birthday and plans to let loose with her boyfriend Gabe (Jordan Diambrini). Tagging along at the last second are Jule (Kade Wise), the class clown pothead, and the very out-of-his-league Celeste (Catherine Toribio). Soon after arriving to the mysterious cabin in the woods, the group of teens discover the dark secret it holds, which forces them to fight for their lives.
Commentary: This film is interesting in that it is full of non-stereotypical stereotypes. Murder in the Woods is a fun genre thriller that could fit in any decade. Take away cell service and internet then put some teens in a creepy cabin in the woods; and it is instantly timeless.
The cast in non-stereotypical in that instead of the normal cookie cutter white suburban teens that plague this genre we get a cast complete of Latinos and people of color. Because of this we get a rich cultural heritage as back story and plot elements. Director Luis Iga Garza said, ““For us, it’s important for this story to be universal, but being Mexican-American, it was also important for the script to include cultural Latino references such as El Dia de los Muertos, The Chupacabras, and other stories that are recognizable,” says writer and producer Yelyna De León. “We purposely showed authentic moments, such as the altars to honor our ancestors, and blessings when we leave the house, memorable experiences that we share with our families.”
What is 100% stereotypical are the characters portrayed. That is not a bad thing and it is almost a right of passage to have the nerdy girl not really wanting to be there, the awkward guy who likes her but can’t tell her. Then you have the sex crazed couple who can’t wait to get into the secluded wood for some fooling around. Rounding out the team you must have the party guy who wants to just get wasted and the party girl obsessed with comfort and selfies. Seeing these same characteristics in a Latino film is fantastic and proves that we are all more similar than we are different. Our similarities can bond us once we realize how much the beauty of our differences can help us learn and grow.
This is still a slasher flick though and people gonna die. It isn’t hard to guess the order they will be picked off. Not to say there aren’t a few twists and turns along the way but the script does follow the expected path. The mystery always lies in the “who and why” and this one does reveal itself eventually. Some may be a tad miffed at the ending and want a tidier bow. I understand the need to be clever and puzzling though and can’t fault them for the decision.
Bottom line if you are a fan of this classic horror genre you will enjoy this one for sure. Plenty of jump scares and blood. Win win. Danny Trejo shows up too as the hard nosed sheriff (not officer) adding to the enjoyment. I give it a B grade for the style and decisions it makes. It is releasing in Drive Ins and I can’t think of a better way to experience it. Although on my couch in the middle of the night wasn’t too bad either.
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