Director: Trent Duncan
Year: 2024
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Slasher
Plot:
Heading out into the woods, a group of girlfriends decides to undertake a special trip to a friend’s cabin for a special trip to get out of the city, but when the trip is interrupted by them moving onto the hunting grounds of a vicious, axe-wielding killer, they must try to get away alive.
Review:
Overall, this was a somewhat decent enough genre effort. One of the better factors involved with this one is the fun central setup that allows this one to go through the kind of traditional-minded setup in a more modern setting. Employing the time-honored tradition of a weekend girls' trip at a cabin in the woods to undergo a special place away from the city full of problems for one of them, and getting caught up in the antics of the locals who warn them away due to a rabid slasher in the area, gives this the kind of old-school approach that works nicely here. That makes this one go through a fun first half where we get to know the girls and the reasons for taking the trip, not just with the relationship issues, but also seeing the different dynamics not just at the cabin, but also the lengths they go through to enjoy their time at the lakeside resort, where we see their different dynamics come into play for a strong starting point.
That leaves the more straightforward, simplistic stalking scenes through the woods with some fun aspects. The opening attack stalking the first couple is a solid way to get this going, while the fun time spent around the woods of the resort where they’re staying is a fun time getting to see the hulking, bearded mountain man in animal skin camouflage running around using throwing axes to dispatch victims. That includes fun moments like the stalking of the local out hunting for her missing daughter, the scandalous couple getting ambushed in the middle of their business, and the frantic assault on the cabin where they’re staying, which all manage to include some highly enjoyable encounters and stalking scenes that include some great gore throughout here. These factors all come together to give this one a lot to like.
This one has some big issues bringing it down. The main drawback here is the immensely formulaic and familiar storyline that manages to come off as a fun time through the use of cliches and tropes in this particular type of film. There’s the assortment of girlfriends who are given pretty much the same stereotype that every one of these comes up with, with the quiet one trying to get over the depression caused by a break-up, the by-the-rules well-intended best friend hoping to keep the weekend on track, the wise older one looking to drink her way through the festivities, and the brazen nymphomaniac looking to hook up with anything registering as male in the area, and it’s a dynamic that works because they all manage to use it. The intruding storyline about the police investigating the killer in the area that they’re able to solve within minutes, despite appearing as if it were an urban legend that no one else believes, and makes it feel more like a plot contrivance than anything else related to the events that have taken place.
The other issue here is the over-the-top, goofy finale that goes with a bizarre idea that’s decent enough as an unexpected twist, but never once comes off with the kind of believable storyline that would be logical in the context of what’s come before. There are some hints at it throughout the film due to the series of hallucinations and visuals featured here, but it still makes little sense as to why the overall effect of what’s going on is allowed to take place when it tends to undo the work that’s been established until then. It is a unique perspective, but it’s the whole build-up of why it’s been included that’s been held up here when trying to look into the action of what’s taking place. As well, there’s also the disappointing CGI gore for the kills that looks really bad and obvious, enough that holds this one down the most.
Overview: ***.5/5
A likable enough if somewhat flawed slasher throwback, there’s a lot to like here, which manages to hold this one up against some detrimental, if not truly crippling, issues. Those with an appreciation for this style of genre fare or who are curious about it will have the most to enjoy here, while most others out there should heed caution.
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