Synopsis: A group of college kids go to a cabin in the woods to spend the weekend. Their trip quickly turns into your average slasher movie... or does it? There is more going on and two of the kids find out what is really going on.
Review: Now I will be throwing spoilers in this review so if you haven't seen it and like me don't want to know what's going on until you've seen it do not read any further!!!
So I loved this movie. It's not my favorite horror movie, but it is different enough that I feel like it deserves a watch and a long discussion with others who have seen it. I love that there's some group that plans this "nightmare", but it's not done like you imagine it would be. No people doing it for fun, or to get famous. No they are doing it to please the ancient ones. Though I do feel like they lack much explanation of the ancient ones and why they are so important. Yes, the surprised appearance of Sigourney Weaver does explain, but not enough to make me happy. I want to know more!!!
I like that there was a reason for each murder and who they choose. It makes sense to me, but then again I've seen enough horror movies to know how things usually play out. There are several twists I feel rather than just the one major one. The other one is the "fool" survives. That is a twist because sometimes you do have someone survive that you don't expect and others you don't. Usually if they do survive they are behind what is going on. Not in this case.
And the best part of the movie is all the monsters and creatures that are representing all the horror movies. It's hard to catch them all, but I have copy the list I found from IMBD. They also seem to pay a lot of homage to Evil Dead. The cabin looks just like the one in the movie, minus the swing and through the beginning they make a lot of references to the movie. I caught a few of them, but not all. And because I didn't realize that until I saw the movie in the trailer when they say if it's in latin do not read I assume was taken from other movies or even the show Supernatural.
So I'll end this before you read onto the list of monsters and what films they represent. I give this movie 4 stars. I'm not the biggest Joss Whedon fan, but I think he did a great job with this movie and think it's worth seeing, even if you are not a horror fan.
Monster list according to IMDB:
50 Foot Woman - Seen in dvd extras
Alien Beast - Xenomorph, can be seen during the purge on the control room monitors stalking a female faculty worker. Generic reference: Alien. [Bet on by Bio-Med]
Alma Wade - Seen after the elevators scenes as a little girl in a white dress slowly walking towards the soldier backing away. Directly taken from the FEAR series. She possesses psychic abilities as well as space/time manipulation.
Ancient Ones - Unique god-like beings seen at the end of the film in the pit and bursting through the earth. One in every society. Apparently influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. [Not on Betting Board]
Angry Molesting Tree - Exactly what it sounds like. Seen bursting out of elevator, more detailed scene cut from theatrical release. Specific reference:The Evil Dead. [Bet on by Wranglers]
Blob - Shapeless mass seen in elevator. Specific reference: The Blob. [Not on Betting Board]
Boomer - Bloated zombie seen in elevator. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead. [Not on Betting Board]
The Bride - Bloody woman walking around in a wedding dress. Likely summoned by the wedding dress and choker. Possible reference to The Bloody Bride of 13 Curves Road. [Bet on by Digital Analysis]
Cells - multiple labyrinth of cells holding all the monsters. Generic reference: Cube
Clown - Evil clown that looks vaguely similar to Pennywise. Generic reference: It. [Bet on by Electric]
Cyclops - seen in dvd extras
Deadites - Unknown if seen in film. Specific reference: The Evil Dead. [Bet on by Story Dept]
Demon - Larger horned demonic creatures, seen in backgrounds. Generic reference: Night of the Demons. [No Bets]
Dismemberment Goblins - Winged red creatures and green flightless ones seen attacking soldiers. Generic reference to imps and goblins. Generic reference: Labyrinth. [No Bets]
The Doctors - Evil surgeons wearing aprons and clothes sutured to their bodies. Generic reference: House on Haunted Hill. [Bet on by Accounting]
Dolls aka Babydoll Faces. Sharply dressed people wearing doll face masks, possibly summoned by matching doll face masks, Specific reference: The Strangers. [Bet on by Kitchen Staff]
Dragonbat - Large bat seen chasing people with a split vampire mouth as seen in Underworld and Blade series. Unique creation or possible reference to Underworld: Evolution. [No Bets]
Faceless Women- seen for a short moment when the monsters are released from their cells. Possible a reference to the faceless Nurses from Silent Hill [Not on Betting Board]
Floating Head - seen in dvd extras
Giant - Unknown if seen in film. Can be seen in dvd extras. Generic reference: Trolljegeren. [Bet on by Zoology]
Giant Millipede - seen in dvd extras
Giant Snake - Giant cobra creature. Generic reference: Anaconda / King Cobra. Possibly a reference to the snake creature in Season 3 or Season 5 ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer. [Bet on by Internal Logistics]
Giant Spider - Giant spider creature seen leaping through the halls. Generic reference: Tarantula / Eight Legged Freaks. [Not on Betting Board]
Gremlins - Generic reference: Gremlins Can be seen on the top right screen in the control room during the massacre. [Not on Betting Board]
Hell Lord aka Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain - Buzzsaw face seen holding same orb that summons him. Specfic reference: Pinhead fromHellraiser. [Bet on by Sitterson]
The Huron - Unknown if seen in film. Described in interviews as a Native American, based on Old West settlers' fears of Indian attacks (and scalping). Generic reference: Scalps. [Bet on by Research & Development]
Jack O Lantern - Seen on top left monitor in control room during the purge. Generic reference: (ex. Pumpkinhead). [Bet on by Security]
Little boy with dunce cap and axe - seen in dvd extras
Kiko - The Japanese floating girl ghost. Generic reference: Yurei films (ex. The Grudge & The Ring.) [Seen in Japan]
Kevin - A normal looking man that quickly dismembers people. Scenes cut from film. In interviews, Whedon describes him as looking like "some guy who works at Best Buy." Possible reference: Sin City. [No Bets]
Killbot - Scorpion-like robot with buzzsaws. Generic reference: Hardware & Chopping Mall. [Not on Betting Board]
KKK - seen in dvd extras
Kraken - Massive tentacles seen in various scenes. Generic reference: 20000 Leagues Under the Sea. [Not on Betting Board]
Merman - Hadley's beloved mercreature, summoned by the conch. Generic reference: Creature from the Black Lagoon. [Bet on by Hadley]
Mummy - Mummy creature seen briefly in background. Generic reference: The Mummy. [Bet on by Psychologists]
Mutants - Orange jump-suited humans that vomit into others. Generic reference: Wrong Turn / The Hills Have Eyes / The Toxic Avenger. [Bet on by Demolition].
The Reanimated - Unknown creature seen on betting board. Possible reference: Re-Animator [Bet on by Administration]
Reaver - Small Whedonverse humanoid seen during massacre.Specific reference: Firefly. [Not on Betting Board]
Reptilius - Unknown creature seen on betting board. Possible reference: Reptilicus [No Bets]
Sasquatch / Wendigo / Yeti - Folklore references to the hairy "Bigfoot" type beast. Generic reference: Abominable. [No Bets]
Scarecrow Folk - Humanoids with burlap masks. Generic reference: Scarecrows. [Bet on by Data Archives]
Sexy Witches - Unknown if seen in film. Generic reference: The Craft. [Bet on by Archives]
Snowman - Unknown reference seen on betting board. Possible reference: Jack Frost. [Bet on by Communications]
Sugar Plum Fairy aka Ballerina Dentata - Unique creation summoned by the music box. Loose cross of Black Swan as a child with the tooth fairies from Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Possible reference to El laberinto del fauno. [No Bets]
Tank - Huge monster seen directly below Dana and Marty in the elevator. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead. [Not on Betting Board]
Twins aka Grady's Daughters - Disturbing looking twin girls. Specific reference: The Shining. [No Bets]
Unicorn - Magnificent horned equine. Generic reference: [Bet on by Engineering]
Vampires - Bald, gothically dressed humanoids with sharp ears. Generic reference: Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens. [Bet on by Distribution]
Werewolf - Prominently shown. Generic reference: The Wolf Man. [Bet on by Finance]
Witch - Crying witch seen in elevator. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead. [Not on Betting Board]
Witches - Floating witch seen zapping soldiers. Generic reference: Darkness Falls. [Bet on by Operations]
Wraiths - Various ethereal ghosts seen killing soldiers. Generic reference: 13 Ghosts. [No Bets]
Zombie Redneck Torture Family aka the Buckners - Main villains summoned by reciting a Latin incantation in the diary. A family of rednecks who adhere to a religion that worships pain. Mash-Up of zombie, torture, & killer backwood family films (ex. Wrong Turn / The Hills Have Eyes). The religious element (and the family's "Black Room") reference the Cenobites from Hellraiser. [Bet on by Maintainence & Ronald the Intern]
Zombies - Numerous creatures seen feasting on remains. Generic reference: Night of the Living Dead. [Bet on by Chem Dept]
Alien Beast - Xenomorph, can be seen during the purge on the control room monitors stalking a female faculty worker. Generic reference: Alien. [Bet on by Bio-Med]
Alma Wade - Seen after the elevators scenes as a little girl in a white dress slowly walking towards the soldier backing away. Directly taken from the FEAR series. She possesses psychic abilities as well as space/time manipulation.
Ancient Ones - Unique god-like beings seen at the end of the film in the pit and bursting through the earth. One in every society. Apparently influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. [Not on Betting Board]
Angry Molesting Tree - Exactly what it sounds like. Seen bursting out of elevator, more detailed scene cut from theatrical release. Specific reference:The Evil Dead. [Bet on by Wranglers]
Blob - Shapeless mass seen in elevator. Specific reference: The Blob. [Not on Betting Board]
Boomer - Bloated zombie seen in elevator. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead. [Not on Betting Board]
The Bride - Bloody woman walking around in a wedding dress. Likely summoned by the wedding dress and choker. Possible reference to The Bloody Bride of 13 Curves Road. [Bet on by Digital Analysis]
Cells - multiple labyrinth of cells holding all the monsters. Generic reference: Cube
Clown - Evil clown that looks vaguely similar to Pennywise. Generic reference: It. [Bet on by Electric]
Cyclops - seen in dvd extras
Deadites - Unknown if seen in film. Specific reference: The Evil Dead. [Bet on by Story Dept]
Demon - Larger horned demonic creatures, seen in backgrounds. Generic reference: Night of the Demons. [No Bets]
Dismemberment Goblins - Winged red creatures and green flightless ones seen attacking soldiers. Generic reference to imps and goblins. Generic reference: Labyrinth. [No Bets]
The Doctors - Evil surgeons wearing aprons and clothes sutured to their bodies. Generic reference: House on Haunted Hill. [Bet on by Accounting]
Dolls aka Babydoll Faces. Sharply dressed people wearing doll face masks, possibly summoned by matching doll face masks, Specific reference: The Strangers. [Bet on by Kitchen Staff]
Dragonbat - Large bat seen chasing people with a split vampire mouth as seen in Underworld and Blade series. Unique creation or possible reference to Underworld: Evolution. [No Bets]
Faceless Women- seen for a short moment when the monsters are released from their cells. Possible a reference to the faceless Nurses from Silent Hill [Not on Betting Board]
Floating Head - seen in dvd extras
Giant - Unknown if seen in film. Can be seen in dvd extras. Generic reference: Trolljegeren. [Bet on by Zoology]
Giant Millipede - seen in dvd extras
Giant Snake - Giant cobra creature. Generic reference: Anaconda / King Cobra. Possibly a reference to the snake creature in Season 3 or Season 5 ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer. [Bet on by Internal Logistics]
Giant Spider - Giant spider creature seen leaping through the halls. Generic reference: Tarantula / Eight Legged Freaks. [Not on Betting Board]
Gremlins - Generic reference: Gremlins Can be seen on the top right screen in the control room during the massacre. [Not on Betting Board]
Hell Lord aka Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain - Buzzsaw face seen holding same orb that summons him. Specfic reference: Pinhead fromHellraiser. [Bet on by Sitterson]
The Huron - Unknown if seen in film. Described in interviews as a Native American, based on Old West settlers' fears of Indian attacks (and scalping). Generic reference: Scalps. [Bet on by Research & Development]
Jack O Lantern - Seen on top left monitor in control room during the purge. Generic reference: (ex. Pumpkinhead). [Bet on by Security]
Little boy with dunce cap and axe - seen in dvd extras
Kiko - The Japanese floating girl ghost. Generic reference: Yurei films (ex. The Grudge & The Ring.) [Seen in Japan]
Kevin - A normal looking man that quickly dismembers people. Scenes cut from film. In interviews, Whedon describes him as looking like "some guy who works at Best Buy." Possible reference: Sin City. [No Bets]
Killbot - Scorpion-like robot with buzzsaws. Generic reference: Hardware & Chopping Mall. [Not on Betting Board]
KKK - seen in dvd extras
Kraken - Massive tentacles seen in various scenes. Generic reference: 20000 Leagues Under the Sea. [Not on Betting Board]
Merman - Hadley's beloved mercreature, summoned by the conch. Generic reference: Creature from the Black Lagoon. [Bet on by Hadley]
Mummy - Mummy creature seen briefly in background. Generic reference: The Mummy. [Bet on by Psychologists]
Mutants - Orange jump-suited humans that vomit into others. Generic reference: Wrong Turn / The Hills Have Eyes / The Toxic Avenger. [Bet on by Demolition].
The Reanimated - Unknown creature seen on betting board. Possible reference: Re-Animator [Bet on by Administration]
Reaver - Small Whedonverse humanoid seen during massacre.Specific reference: Firefly. [Not on Betting Board]
Reptilius - Unknown creature seen on betting board. Possible reference: Reptilicus [No Bets]
Sasquatch / Wendigo / Yeti - Folklore references to the hairy "Bigfoot" type beast. Generic reference: Abominable. [No Bets]
Scarecrow Folk - Humanoids with burlap masks. Generic reference: Scarecrows. [Bet on by Data Archives]
Sexy Witches - Unknown if seen in film. Generic reference: The Craft. [Bet on by Archives]
Snowman - Unknown reference seen on betting board. Possible reference: Jack Frost. [Bet on by Communications]
Sugar Plum Fairy aka Ballerina Dentata - Unique creation summoned by the music box. Loose cross of Black Swan as a child with the tooth fairies from Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Possible reference to El laberinto del fauno. [No Bets]
Tank - Huge monster seen directly below Dana and Marty in the elevator. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead. [Not on Betting Board]
Twins aka Grady's Daughters - Disturbing looking twin girls. Specific reference: The Shining. [No Bets]
Unicorn - Magnificent horned equine. Generic reference: [Bet on by Engineering]
Vampires - Bald, gothically dressed humanoids with sharp ears. Generic reference: Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens. [Bet on by Distribution]
Werewolf - Prominently shown. Generic reference: The Wolf Man. [Bet on by Finance]
Witch - Crying witch seen in elevator. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead. [Not on Betting Board]
Witches - Floating witch seen zapping soldiers. Generic reference: Darkness Falls. [Bet on by Operations]
Wraiths - Various ethereal ghosts seen killing soldiers. Generic reference: 13 Ghosts. [No Bets]
Zombie Redneck Torture Family aka the Buckners - Main villains summoned by reciting a Latin incantation in the diary. A family of rednecks who adhere to a religion that worships pain. Mash-Up of zombie, torture, & killer backwood family films (ex. Wrong Turn / The Hills Have Eyes). The religious element (and the family's "Black Room") reference the Cenobites from Hellraiser. [Bet on by Maintainence & Ronald the Intern]
Zombies - Numerous creatures seen feasting on remains. Generic reference: Night of the Living Dead. [Bet on by Chem Dept]
Great review Fallen! Dang you been bustin out reviews like crazy this month! Thanks for including the list of horror references!
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