PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Unpredictably eerie is how I will describe A Stranger in the Woods. I was one of the lucky ones to gain early access to this mysteriously alluring film. However, the film’s director, Jozsef Gallai (I Hear The Trees Whispering 2022) has sworn me to secrecy, and I intend to uphold that promise and keep this access on lockdown.
A Stranger in the Woods, written and directed by József Gallai, is a found footage horror drama about an eager and curious film student who embarks on a journey to a secluded house where a man named Victor (played by genre darling Bill Oberst Jr.), who has been self-isolating from people for multiple decades. The student’s name is Edith (played by the talented actress, Laura Ellen Wilson (I Hear The Trees Whispering 2022)), and she is given the task of filming a documentary about this eccentric recluse who has been hiding from the public eye in a tiny house in the forest.
“He’s a very strange guy.” (Edith)
Filmed in beautiful Hungary, A Stranger in the Woods starts with a series of audio recordings to create a realistic approach to the story. The scene turns to Edith driving along a lonely stretch of road, surrounded by a thick, plush forest. The scene is aesthetically pleasing in the way the camera angling is approached, giving a real sense of how far Victor does live away from other people. Professor Gregory (Shawn Michael Clankie: Aftermath 2022) gives Edith info about Victor and his quirks.
Nervous yet excited, Edith arrives at a rather beautiful white home with red windowpanes. The scene is breathtaking as Edith surveys the area and looking toward the pond and the cobblestone path leading to the front door. Edith is suddenly surprised by Victor, who at first plays a little mind game with her, and then attempts to make her feel at home with his hospitality.
During Edith’s stay at Victor’s, the tension begins to subtly rise and fall, bringing the viewer ,a sense of curiosity and confusion. Victor’s erratic behavior becomes unnerving, and he begins to unravel the longer Edith stays with and observes this strange man. Isolation closes in, and the panic rises in Edith’s voice each time she calls her grandmother, played by Lynn Lowry (Shivers 1975). At one points, director József Gallai also makes his appearance in the film as tensions rise.
“Have you ever heard the trees whispering?” (Victor)
The entire film gives you a sense of dread around every corner, and it is even better when you watch A Stranger in the Woods at night in the dark. I will admit, there are a few “What the f**k?!?” moments, but trust me, that is a very good thing. Not to mention, I love twists in a story, and my jaw dropped when I realized just how perfectly the events here spiral into a darker turn. I cannot divulge too much about this film because frankly, that would be spoiling it. I do have many questions and theories, but the main question in my mind is: Who is Victor?
Gallai does a splendid job asking and even sometimes answering many questions in this story, and inquiring minds would like to know Victor’s true backstory to better understand him. But maybe that is the beauty of this film… to set your mind to wonder and ask many questions.
I recommend A Stranger in the Woods to anyone who appreciates found footage horror and the art behind realistic inputs. I want to give special thanks to József Gallai for allowing me the opportunity to view and give an opinion on his movie. I pray that all cast and crew are given well-deserved recognition for their wonderfully realistic performances, and I congratulate József Gallai for his outstanding work on this unique found footage film.
Get another PopHorror reviewer’s thoughts on A Stranger In the Woods HERE.
