PopHorror Let's Get Scared
The Cabin is the first feature film from director Johan Bodell (Animal Society TV series). The cast includes Thomas Hedengran, who is known for his roles in Commander Hamilton (1998), Dead on Arrival (2008) and Hamilton (2001). Scriptwriter Erik Kammerland (Douche 2018) also portrays the killer in the film. Couple Rose and Harry are portrayed by Caitlin Crommett (Before and Fire 2018) and Christopher Lee Page (The Meanest Man in Texas 2017).
Synopsis
A young couple visit a remote cabin in the woods but on the way they meet a suspicious stranger who holds a murderous secret.
Review
The movie opens with strong cinematography that sets the atmosphere for the story. The audience is taken on a ride with a man down a narrow and winding road, lined with darkness blanketed by towering forest trees. Dusk is quickly descending, and fog from the lake is making land, weaving through the trees and brush.
We are quickly made the fly on the wall as the resident of a secluded farmhouse carries out his nightly routine. Without any notice, the killer, AKA The Stranger (Kammerland) is front and center, wearing a mask and standing out in the distance. There is a slight taunting between the killer and this older man, before The Stranger randomly attacks him.
Now, we follow Harry and Rose as they are driving up to the cabin. It’s obvious that there is some kind of tension between the two. Their characters were believable for the first five minutes, at least until their arguing and Rose’s consistent complaints of wanting return to the city become overbearing.
Although it’s never clearly mentioned why the couple made a trip to the cabin, the idea of rekindling the relationship is loosely tossed around. The majority of the movie consists of the two arguing back and forth about leaving and driving back home. Despite their many attempts, they are forced to spend the night due to some unforeseen circumstances.
The Cabin fits into category of a horror thriller. Although suspense builds throughout the movie, it only pays off at the very end. A small cat-and-mouse game develops and Rose finds herself hiding in a maze constructed of bales of hay making for an intense, on the edge of your seat scene. The Cabin falls short with a lack of flow and connection between Harry and Rose, which makes the film difficult to watch. I’m sure these actors exhibit great talent, but with a minimal script, it was not showcased. At no point in the movie did I feel any sort of sympathy for their characters. For a horror thriller, I expected more emotion, a scream, or at the very least, some kind of character building.
What I Loved
DoP Charles Boan (Repression 2015) used amazing aerial camera panning that captured the reality of how far from civilization this cabin was. The horizon brimming with trees, an isolated road and the discontinuity of forest gave great perspective for the audience. It beautifully set the tone for the film and made the location a fifth character, providing unspoken dialogue with certain elements. Torn fabric, overgrown landscapes, aged signs, and unkempt interiors aligned the gap of time since anyone last visited.
There were a variety of cut scenes that played out with an overlay of instrumental music that served as tension builders. These scenes were not only visually beautiful, but they also had stronger, non-verbal communication in comparison to the script between the characters. Erik Kammerland delivers a believable crazed killer who gives another lesson to horror fans. Often times, killers have no clear-cut reason for their actions. They can be sporadic and triggered at any given moment. I also enjoyed that the mask used throughout the film boldly resembles (in creepy fashion) to the one used in the 1938 horror classic, Curtains.
Final Thoughts
The Cabin possesses the ideal look and feel of great horror film. As a viewer, I appreciate the story and concept within the film. I would only suggest some minor adjustments on the script. Check it out, and let us know what you think.
