The Forest, film review: A murky and unsatisfying horror movie
(15) Jason Zada, 93 mins. Starring: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken, Stephanie Vogt
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The real-life Aokigahara "suicide" forest under Mount Fuji in Japan is proving a lethal zone for film-makers. It was here that Gus van Sant ventured unwisely for last year's The Sea of Trees, receiving some of the worst reviews of his career in the process, and the forest is also the setting for this murky and unsatisfying horror movie. Sara (Natalie Dormer from Game of Thrones), a young married woman, travels to Aokigahara in pursuit of her identical twin sister, Jess, who has gone missing in the woods.
Sara discovers her sister's tent and washing – a sign, perhaps, that Jess hasn't killed herself. However, ignoring the advice of her guide and of her new friend, opportunist expat journalist Aiden (Taylor Kinney), she decides to spend the night in the forest. Cue the predictable phantasmagoric visions. As verminous insects appear under her skin, she cuts at her wrists to try to scrape them off. The usual trials by ghouls, creepy-crawlies and tormenting visions relating to her childhood occur.
The storytelling is very perfunctory. Some of the shock tactics are moderately effective but, as the film-makers attempt to combine traditional horror movie elements with insights into the troubled psychology of their heroine, they soon lose their way.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments