The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Five friends go for a weekend trip to a nice, secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere. It's the perfect setup for a good ol' slasher film, right? Easy. Predictable. Done to death.

Not even close.

This is one of the coolest films this year, and one of the most inventive and breathlessly fun additions to the horror genre ever. It has simply changed the game and all other horror films are going to have to step things up a notch to compete with something that has so perfectly turned the genre up on its head. Not since "Scream" have we seen a movie that has been so self-aware in the positive respect, utilizing every cliche to lull the audience into a sense of security (in that we feel we know exactly what is going to happen) only to have every one of those cliches utterly smashed in our faces.

The thing of it is, this is not just a slasher film. This is a slasher, wrapped in a conspiracy theory film, wrapped in an even larger horror movie and it took me until at least half way through in order to finish puzzling it out. I can't give too much away as it would ruin all of the fun and momentum that these filmmakers have worked tirelessly to create.

What I can say about it is that the acting is purposefully over the top; the writing, intentionally horrible; the plot, methodically ridiculous. These elements combine into something really, truly exciting for the moviegoer. The film is funny, scary and insanely sharp, sometimes all at once, and has revitalized a dying breed of film.

Further than just taking a massive bite out of the type of film it wanted to satirize, "The Cabin in the Woods" also managed to cleverly attack the industry in general. In a very visible sense it demonized (pun absolutely intended) Hollywood and the way in which it does not ever allow horror films to escape mundane repetition. We can generally acknowledge that there are a very few great horror movies: "The Exorcist," "Rosemary's Baby," "Halloween" and a handful of others, but these were starters, not followers. They set the standard and others came after. This film is not a follower and it has ruthlessly criticized a part of the film industry that does not allow for change to happen. In doing so it has brought change itself.

I want very much to say more about the plot, but you will just have to watch for yourself and go on a thrilling ride navigating twists and turns--and a very surprising cameo--to find something deliciously and gruesomely different. Hats off, friends.

3.5/4