A veteran scribe of the J.J Abrams cabal of forward thinking creatives, Drew Goddard's first feature film "The Cabin in the Woods", co-written and produced along with fantasy/sci-fi master Joss Whedon, is a roundhouse kick to the balls to the modern "horror" film. The word "horror" in this case deserves such puncutation because this is not a horror film. Well, on the surface, in terms of actual plot, style and thematic substance, this is a horror film, but on it's most base operating level, it is not. Rather, "The Cabin in the Woods" is one of the most subversive genre pictures ever made precisely because it is specifically about genre and the stigmatic pratfalls of falling into what one might call a "genre."
To give away any plot details of this film, other than to say that it is about five co-eds that have embarked on a weekend getaway to a cabin in a remote part of the woods, so remote that it does not even register on GPS, would be a crime. But I guess I can also tell you that what happens at this cabin will ultimately result in a frightening, gory mess since I revealed that this is a "horror" film. The five leads, of which the most noteworthy is Chris Hemsworth, whom we are familiar with from "Star Trek" and last summer's "Thor", are impressive in their portrayals of what some might call the typical "horror" film archetypes. Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins are also in this film and they're both perfect for their roles, but I cannot reveal more than that. What I can reveal is that Goddard has a knack for getting the right pitch and tone from his actors; this is a very funny, I would argue hilarious, "horror" film.
The comedy in this film is fascinating. It amused me the same way that other subversive horror films like Peter Jackson's "Braindead" and Edgar Wright's "Shaun of the Dead" did; those films ultimately sticking to their respective genres. But this is a film that breaks loose from genre, while actually creating its own metaphysical genre of comedic horror film, which is ironic. But it is this irony that propels the comedy and creates a substantial amount of mystery surrounding not just the actual plot of the movie, but the purpose for the movie even existing at all. Why make a "horror" film if all you want to do is shoot horror films in the face with a 12-gauge shotgun? Or stab them in the face with akimbo pick-axes? Or perhaps you might want to rip the hearts out of their chest cavities and then feed them to a pack of hungry mutant Zebras? You need to watch this film if you want to find out why the hell I just wrote all that.
I could spend pages unpacking the philosophical and even sociological implications of this film; it's that fresh and intelligent. This is a kitchen-sink style "horror" film that on one level isn't afraid to satiate your thirst for blood, humor, destruction and just a plain old fun-ass time at the movies. But on another, tougher level, if you're willing to look further (and it is really up to you if you want to go there), it will force you to question the popularity of horror films and why they quench the most transgressive of thoughts that go on in the back of our sick, depraved skulls. In the end, both thematically and philosophically, this is a film about sacrifice. What are we willing to give up for the greater good? What are we willing to suppress in order to function as civilized beings in an ultimately primitive world?
I could end this "review" of this "horror" film with a quote or some sort of pithy remark about the state of the modern horror film and how "The Cabin in the Woods" has irrevocably changed the way I define "genre." Oh wait, I just did.
"The Cabin in the Woods" has had an interesting distribution history. It was put on the shelf for two years after MGM, the studio that made the film, went bankrupt. In 2011, following legal deliberations, MGM decided to sell the distribution rights. After what director Goddard said was a heated bidding war, Lionsgate picked up the film and has slated it for release on Friday, April 13th. If you do not know why that is awesome, don't see this movie.
