The Woods poster

The Woods

2006-04-24
2006-10-03
5.667 (IMDB)
MysteryHorrorThriller
en
Released
Languages:
  • English

Description:

In 1965 New England, a troubled girl encounters mysterious happenings in the woods surrounding an isolated girls school that she was sent to by her estranged parents.

Reviews:

Wuchak (5/10)

Good plot and haunting ambiance, but mediocre story and weak characters

RELEASED IN 2006 and directed by Lucky McKee, "The Woods" chronicles events in 1965 New England when a troubled teen (Agnes Bruckner) is dropped off at a spooky remote boarding school for girls by her estranged parents (Bruce Campbell & Emma Campbell). Weird, witchy things ensue. Patricia Clarkson plays the dean while Lauren Birkell and Rachel Nichols play fellow students, one nice and the other mean.

This is a mystery/horror flick that combines “Suspiria” (1977) with elements of “Carrie” (1976) and “The Ruins” (2008) or “Man-Thing” (2005) (yes, I realize “The Ruins” came out later; I’m just trying to give people an idea of what the movie’s like). The haunting atmosphere and the Montreal location are very good, as well as the unsettling creepiness.

So the plot is a winner, the film looks good and there’s an effective darkness, if that’s your thang. Unfortunately, the story is underwhelming. It’s too ambiguous and feels incomplete, like a half hour of events were cut from the runtime. The hints of levitation and telekinetic abilities don't amount to much, nor do the leaves on a bed.

The characters are either underdeveloped or unlikable, except for maybe the protagonist (Bruckner). All we know about Heather is that she recently set fire to something and there’s enmity between her and her self-absorbed mother. The father is a pushover. We don't learn much about them or anyone else at the academy. Marcy provokes pity while Samantha is too over-the-top as the villain. You’re more curious about WHY she’s so mean than anything else. With all the young females available, the filmmakers drop the ball by not taking advantage of these resources (and I’m not tawkin’ bout nudity or sleaze).

The emotionless deliveries of the all-female faculty don’t help, but I realize they were written that way to create a sense of oddness and it works. The witchcraft elements are decidedly subdued, which I liked; the focus is on the formidableness of the forest itself (hence the title). Speaking of which, the woods F/X in the last act are well done.

THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 31 minutes and was shot at McGill University, Montréal, Québec. WRITER: David Ross.

GRADE: C

2018-04-02
Kamurai (6/10)

Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend.

While I'm going to say that this movie was over-hyped quite a bit, it is good, but I don't feel like it really does anything specifically special.

It has a high level of good, but there is little I can see that would put that up to great. There are some scenes later in the movie as information is revealed that might surprise the audience, but I don't see it really as "scary" moments.

This is more of drip-fed information investigation movie with and all girls school, coming of age story, but the one thing it is clear it is trying to do, it tips its hand fairly early.

While I didn't find that detracting from the movie (it does add a bit of creepy atmosphere to the story), it could be a stronger reveal later.

Ultimately worth the watch, just go with low expectations.

2021-01-15

Where to Watch:

Stream

MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel

Rent

Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube

Buy

Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube

Similar Movies:

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack 7.5

Action, Adventure

2001-12-15

Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf

Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf 7.4

Animation, Family

1988-11-13

Don't Run

Don't Run 6.3

Horror

2019-10-18

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec 6.238

Fantasy, Adventure

2010-04-09

Devilman

Devilman 6.2

Action, Fantasy

2004-10-09

Monster Man

Monster Man 6.053

Horror

2003-07-30

Godzilla Raids Again

Godzilla Raids Again 5.99

Science Fiction, Horror

1955-04-24

Return to Sleepaway Camp

Return to Sleepaway Camp 5.797

Mystery, Horror

2008-11-04

Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings

Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings 5.534

Horror, Fantasy

1995-10-20

Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes

Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes 5.257

Horror, Fantasy

2006-10-28

Mosquito Man

Mosquito Man 5.238

Horror, Science Fiction

2005-03-05

She Walks the Woods

She Walks the Woods 5.2

Horror

2019-10-22

Gammera the Invincible

Gammera the Invincible 4.8

Horror, Science Fiction

1966-12-15

The Giant Claw

The Giant Claw 4.8

Science Fiction, Horror

1957-06-01

Queen Kong

Queen Kong 4.667

Drama, Fantasy

2016-08-20

Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid

Class of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, the Bad and the Subhumanoid 4.2

Comedy, Horror

1994-10-20

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis 4.154

Horror, Science Fiction

1990-08-07

The Maker of Monsters

The Maker of Monsters 4

Horror

2018-10-21

Spaceship

Spaceship 3.672

Comedy, Horror

1983-07-01

Creature of Darkness

Creature of Darkness 2.306

Horror, Science Fiction

2009-01-31