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The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Director: Drew Goddard

Time Out rating

Average user rating

32 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Every few years, a horror movie comes along that promises to revitalise the genre, sometimes for the better (‘Night of the Living Dead’, ‘Ringu’), sometimes not (‘Scream’, ‘Hostel’). From the pen of ‘Buffy’ creator Joss Whedon and ‘Cloverfield’ scribe Drew Goddard, ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ doesn’t so much set out to reinvigorate horror as pick it apart, analyse it, laugh at it and then blow it to smithereens just for kicks. It’s the funniest horror film since ‘Evil Dead 2’, the smartest since ‘New Nightmare’ and surely one of the most breathlessly entertaining, original movies of the year.

It begins with an apparent non sequitur, as working stiffs Hadley (Richard Jenkins) and Sitterson (Bradley Whitford) discuss babyproofing in an anonymous office building. We then move to a gang of nubile twentysomethings, heading off to a remote cabin for fun, frolics and fornication. But how might these stories connect? And what’s going on in the cabin, with its two-way mirrors, mysterious forcefields and basement crammed with occult artefacts?

On one level, ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ is simply a demonically enjoyable rollercoaster: Whedon’s knack for a snappy, offbeat one-liner remains unmatched, while first-time director Goddard’s control of his action set-pieces (of which there are many) is truly impressive. The way they toy with the clichéd iconography of horror is consistently rewarding: each time the movie seems to be following the obvious signposts, it veers wildly off into unexplored territory, resulting in scenes and images (watch out for the unicorn!) which remain lodged in the brain for days afterwards.

But this is also a film with a lot to say: about the role of horror in our lives, about the questionable morality of audience manipulation, about the banality of modern evil. It’s become a Whedon motif to follow a lapel-grabbing action sequence with a sudden, sober appraisal of the human cost of violence, but that technique has rarely been as effective as here. Of course, none of this is ever allowed to get in the way of all the fun, but it’s still remarkable to see a mainstream movie touch on so many fascinating, powerful ideas without losing sight of its prime directive: to scare the socks off its audience.

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ is clearly intended as a celebration of the world of horror cinema – but it could just as easily bury it. Its avalanche of ideas and invention have the potential to revitalise the genre but, like ‘Scream’, it could also result in a stream of lazy knock-offs. But if this truly is the last word in great horror, you couldn’t ask for a better epitaph.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2173: April 12-18, 2012

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User reviews of this film

Thomas Noctor said...

Posted on May 12 2012 18:59 Just one question, is it like 'Drag Me to hell'? Because that was awful. Not funny or remotly scary

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Numpty said...

Posted on May 08 2012 20:01 A pretty decent mash-up of 'Evil Dead', 'The Trueman Show' and 'Scooby-doo The Movie' (though not nearly as accomplished as the first two).
There's no horror or magic to the.. er.. horror or magic.. no memorable performances.. the ending just happens in a 'that's what it says on the last page' kind of way.. and anyone who claims it's chocked full of deep social cometary is just trying to hard (Tom), but all in all a jolly romp worth a good 7/10!!
I rushed straight home afterwards, to watch 'Evil Dead II'.... and it's still BRILLIANT!!

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cassius said...

Posted on May 06 2012 13:17 If you loved Evil Dead 2, you'll love this even more. A classic horror-comedy.

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Raza said...

Posted on May 05 2012 22:08 This was mindless, dreary, trash, not particularly well acted, and certainly lacking any charm, intelligence or point. Go and wash your car (or someone else's if you don't have one) rather than wasting your time watching this pretentious rubbish.

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Liv said...

Posted on May 03 2012 19:55 This film is classic Whedon wonderfulness. It's unique style of horror comedy and awesome monster collection make this film one of the only interesting ones produced this year! You will not expect the plot at all and you will actually care about the characters! Warning: the humour is not main-stream or typical of films (this seems to have gone over some heads!) if you don't like Joss Whedon's work you probably won't like this movie!

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ZodKneelsFirst said...

Posted on May 02 2012 19:15 Stupid review. This film isn't remotely scary.
It is, however, the smartest, funniest film you're likely to see this year.
And the reviewer has got those character names the wrong way round.

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ZodKneelsFirst said...

Posted on May 02 2012 19:12 Wow Denise! Three times and still you haven't found out how to spell waste.
You weren't the J Kyle watcher who talked all the way through the screening last night were you?

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denise h said...

Posted on May 02 2012 14:31 the biggest heap of crap ever dont waist your money very poor film rating 0

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Joe said...

Posted on May 01 2012 17:15 After having seen 'Headhunters' & thinking film of the year, I saw this & thought easily the worst film of the year. It is mindless, dreary, instantly forgettable trash. Anyone obsessed with horror or keen to see people being killed in an infinite number of ways may well enjoy it, but apart from satisfying sicko cravings it is a film of zero merit. Neither funny or remotely original; it's witless, boring and thoroughly unentertaining. Tom Huddleston could have written something like this, and have been far closer to the truth, but clearly wouldn't have made as much money! Shame on you Time Out for such a pathetic display of bootlicking! The film is worthless; The TO review, sad and dishonest. So, is this the last comment on brainless horror and could someone write an epitaph for Time Out magazine?!?

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Isobel said...

Posted on Apr 29 2012 23:41 I actually thought this was a really good film and it deserves 5*. Most of the film I was terrified yet it made me laugh alot! I thought the characters were great and although the whole story line was very random it was done very cleverly.

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Jon Danos said...

Posted on Apr 29 2012 12:26 I highly respect Time Out so I was particularly disappointed at their 5* review for this 1* film. 0* to Time Out for this review

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critique said...

Posted on Apr 28 2012 13:08 Agree with those who say it has been over rated. Is it even a horror film? Surely the fundamental aim of a horror film is to horrify, to frighten to scare? Far, far too pleased with its own knowing "cleverness". "Best film of the year"? "An absolute genre shaker"? Pur-leez! Forgettable.

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denisehunter said...

Posted on Apr 26 2012 22:08 the biggest heap of crap total waist of money

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d hunter said...

Posted on Apr 26 2012 22:06 this film was the biggest heap of crap total waist of money .very poor score out of 10 a big 0

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FRAZIER said...

Posted on Apr 26 2012 14:43 Comic horror- laughed out loud at times because it thankfully doesn't take itself seriously. My advice?Simple.Take a friend who likes the horror genre and compete to see who spots the most references and homages to horror films of the past. You've seen all these sequences before but not glued together (carelessly at times) in one film. It's not scary and as Ric said it's very overrated. Giving this work 5-stars reveals more about the standard of film reviewing rather than the standard of the film.It's a marmite film- some will love it, some will hate it. 2-stars for giving me a few laughs on a wet Tuesday night and a decent homage to some good films.

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