Director: Brad Twigg
Year: 2024
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Slasher
Plot:
Trying to start their lives over, a group of troubled youths decide to spend the summer at a self-help retreat in the woods where they find their time interrupted by a resurrected serial killer who used to roam the woods years ago and must uncover the connection between them to stop him.
Review:
This was a massively enjoyable indie slasher effort. Among the finer features here is the way this one works in a great excuse to work through a group lost in the woods to interact with the resurrected killer. The initial exploits of the group heading out to the woods as a means of helping to better themselves with the other group members on the trip come off rather nicely here when combined with the initial campout scenes featuring the group trying to acclimate to the scenario. Seeing why they’re on the whole trip as their clashing personalities and experiences make everything make sense rather well, there’s a lot to like here as things progress which merges quite well with the storyline about the resurrected killer going wild through the woods. This also comes off quite well with the resurrection scene is the appropriately cheesy type of sequence to really get this off rather well.
There’s also the film’s strong and genuinely enjoyable ambush sequences of the resurrected killer going through the woods striking the group or anyone else he comes across. Abandoning the type of randomized indie-style sequence from the original of just throwing random nameless figures in front of the killer in random locations, this one comes across with far more traditional stalking scenes as it’s now focused on the group coming across the ravenous killer in the woods. With fine sequences in the woods taking out the horny camper, a fine double-stalking of the lesbian couple on the trails or the stellar sequence at the campground set up by the group where the series of ambushes and encounters come together in rapid-fire fashion as the sudden appearance of the killer in unexpected locations against them provides plenty to like. Even going pretty far with the stellar gore effects and set-pieces here and throughout the rest of the film, this comes together for quite a lot to like.
There are only a few minor drawbacks to be had with this one. The main factor here is the completely illogical explanation given for why the killer is raised by the friends in the first place as this never really makes any sense. The whole purpose for this resurrection is given at the end in one of the more ludicrous speeches that tries to pass itself off as a profound revelation but the inclusion of blood curses, incestual bloodlines, and a satanic ritual but it’s way too convoluted for what should’ve been a simple story about a revived maniac out on a killing spree in the woods. That goes along with an equally confusing series of events that take place where the powers displayed make no sense and seem to be just made up to continue the film. Alongside the rather obvious indie origins present here, these few issues are what bring this one down.
Overview: ****/5
A great indie slasher follow-up with a lot to like about it, this is a great effort overall and has only a few minor drawbacks that bring it down which makes this a great time overall. Those who appreciate this style of genre effort, enjoy indie slashers in general, or are fans of the creative crew will have a lot to like overall here while those turned off by these factors should heed caution.
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