PopHorror Let's Get Scared
In the last year or so, films circulating around Krampus have been quite popular. The legend of the mysterious creature stealing kids on Christmas is too good of a story to pass up. Recently, I watched Deep in the Wood, which brushes upon the Krampus culture and more.
Deep in the Wood also known as In fondo al bosco, is an Italian thriller directed by Stefano Lodovichi. It has a brilliant cast starring Filippo Nigro, Camilla Filippi, Giovanni Vettorazzo, Teo Achille Caprio, Alessandro Corabi, and more.
Official Synopsis:
Tommi, a 4 year-old child, disappears during an annual Krampus festival. Five years later, a child was found nameless and without documents. DNA matches — He is Tommi. Manuel, the father, can finally embrace his son. The mother, Linda, however, can not adapt to the new situation. A suspicion digs inside her: What if that child is not really her son?
First, let me start off by saying that if this film is any indication on how Krampus festivals really are… I would never attend one. Super freaking creepy. I can’t imagine being a kid and seeing all that. Taking it a step further, I also can’t imagine losing my child during the festival and wondering if the legends could be true or if a different kind of monster took them away.
Deep in the Wood delivers a beautiful yet bone-chilling story that had me constantly questioning what was happening. Could the boy they found really be Tommi or was he something far darker and evil? The story develops nicely throughout the entire film and throws twists and turns along the way that will keep you guessing until the very end.
One thing I loved most about the film is that they were able to balance things well. There’s the whole Krampus situation, but then there’s the focus on the grieving parents and how much they went through after losing their child, only to have him show up again 5 years later. It’s heart-wrenching and powerful and what makes the film strong.
The performances were outstanding by all parties. However, Filippo Nigro plays the father, Manuel, and hands down steals the show. You can feel the pain and guilt that consumes him for losing Tommi and the transformation he went through because of it. When he finally is reunited with Tommi – or, who he thinks is Tommi – he wants to do anything to make things right. Camilla Filippi’s transformation was also brilliantly executed and she stunned me quite a few times. Teo Achille Caprio played the perfect yet disturbed little boy who may or may not be the devil.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I really enjoyed Deep in the Wood. I was captivated by the story from beginning to end. It’s a mystery that you get to be a part of and you’ll love the disturbing twists and turns that happen along the way. The film is currently On Demand as well as other VOD platforms and will be released on DVD this fall – September 27th.
