Deep In The Woods

A group of actors are hired by a rich and demanding old man. They are to perform their version of Little Red Riding Hood for his deeply disturbed grandson's birthday party. News reports reveal that a serial rapist and murderer is on the loose in the area. It's going to be one of those nights.

Deep In The Woods would have been a great film but for one thing: it has been done too many times before. Taking attractive young things into a Gothic setting and having them killed one by one has been parodied almost as many times as it has been done straight. The ominous raven perched upon the gate to the mansion, the surly gamekeeper, the troubled child silently watching the murders, the cantankerous old man, the obligatory plot twists leading your suspicion along its linear path; this isn't Deep In The Woods you're watching, it's every single horror film ever made.

The first half is wonderful. The acting, direction, and, in particular, the beautiful cinematography, build the tension to an incredibly high level. So impressive is it that the inexplicable, and later convenient, existence of a shark harpoon is forgivable. Also forgivable are a couple of instances where Lionel Delplanque over-directs. He is clearly talented, with a great future ahead of him, but will have to resist the urge to include camera shots from within glove compartments.

Once the killing begins, quality goes out the window. The actions of the characters become unbelievable, even for a horror film. There is no emotional depth, not even fear. There is just time, until the next violent death.

A chilling experience is promised; amateur pap is delivered.

If Delplanque allows someone else to write the plot for his next film, it should be brilliant. If not, like Deep In The Woods, it will be little more than a missed opportunity.