Cabin Girl

In an age of meta, self-aware, and overly-layered 'horror' films, Cabin Girl is a nice example of doing the basics (good writing, good acting, good execution) the best you can first, and getting an engaging, titillating film.

Certainly more thriller than horror, Cabin Girl works in Hitchcockian fashion, focusing on real dramas that play out between real characters. It's kind of a secret weapon that many filmmakers have forgotten, that audiences can't help but be engaged with relatable characters, the choices they make, and the results they must contend with.

Great performances by Rose Lane Sanfilippo and Austin Scott, looking like both are ready to become household names. Deft execution with the camera reminds us that it's an effective tool.

Good watch from beginning to end!

Ava Robbins, a vlogger known as "Van Girl", vanishes under mysterious circumstances from the public eye following a deer-related accident, only to reemerge post-hiatus as "cabin girl," seemingly happy to trade her van lifestyle for a serene cabin existence. Nevertheless, Ava's once-upbeat influencer life takes a dark turn as she encounters paranormal hauntings and a very human threat in the form of a shady stalker. Her gradual spiral into paranoia makes her hostile towards those around her, until the pieces finally fall into place after the one hour run-time.

It's slow, a little boring and difficult to root for Ava, especially for the first hour; but the good music and cinematography of nature in the small town makes it bearable. Best to watch with low expectations and without any spoilers!

Basically that. I really don't care for films based upon the conceit of vlogs or online influencers and all the 'hip' comments and likes, etc. Just not my thing. BUT... once you get past all that, and I can see how it was somewhat integral to the story, the way the plot proceeds is actually done quite well.

The acting is excellent and the writing I feel was sharp. The reactions of the people helping here I thought were quite genuine. Usually in a film like this it is the poor acting that really kills it, but not in this case. At the beginning I admit I was FF it through all the YouTuber stuff, but when I got a ways into the story I slowed down and as I watched I did get more and more drawn into a rather strong Mystery of what the hell was happening.

It actually turned out to be a very good Psychological Thriller with good Horror elements. Like I say, MOST times with movies that try to do something like this, usually the acting/writing just isn't that good. But, in this case as the mystery drew you in deeper and deeper, I really found it quite gripping and very much intrigued to know what was going on.

So yeah, if you are like me and all the 'Hipster' online stuff makes your eyes roll back to the back of your head, stay with the story and you'll find that the original online conceit fades a bit more into the background as the actual story of what is truly happening becomes more apparent.

I'm glad I stayed with it, even after rolling my eyes and FF the movie a few times at the beginning, because at the end I felt it was actually a very clever idea and that the filmmakers did a very good job in putting it together, along with quality acting throughout. If you like a good mystery and if you can get through the first 15-20 minutes or so, once the 'accident' happens, from that point on I think you may very well find this quite an engaging and mysterious Thriller.

I was pleasantly surprised by this film.

Being a TubiTV Original, and all...I expected it to be far worse than it is.

It's actually quite an engaging little film.

One that's simple, yet effective.

In it, we find ourselves following a young social media influencer, who has taken up the van life.

Only to leave it behind, when she finds an affordable cabin, in a remote, rural town.

However, it turns out that the cabin has a dark past.

Which she's driven to uncover...you know...for the views.

Only to find out she's asking questions, she might not be ready to face the answers to.

To keep things interesting, they add in a bit of a twist, and some misdirection.

Which gives the film an air of mystery.

Although it's more of a supernatural thriller than it is a horror.

It's definitely worth watching.

Especially compared to a lot of the other original films that TubiTV has to offer.

Even if it is a bit basic.

3.5 out of 10.

Cabin Girl is the kind of psychological thriller that keeps you guessing, even when it stumbles. Packed with a rich story, layered characters, and just a hint of supernatural intrigue, it feels like a lovechild of Gone Girl and The Sixth Sense, with an added sprinkle of The Others for good measure. The film excels in crafting a captivating mystery-within-a-mystery, delivering red herrings like a magician pulling rabbits out of a very stylish hat.

The direction is generally strong, deftly juggling shifting tones and atmospheres, but it's not without hiccups. A few scenes drag on longer than a politician's speech, and some moments feel as heavy-handed as a hammer in a glass shop-padding out the runtime rather than enhancing the narrative.

That said, the performances are refreshingly above average. The cast injects enough gravitas to keep the tension taut, even when the pacing falters. The supernatural elements, meanwhile, are woven in with a light touch, adding an eerie charm without veering into camp.

For fans of brain-teasing mysteries with a side of atmospheric chills, Cabin Girl is well worth a watch. Just don't expect perfection-this girl stumbles occasionally, but she's got plenty of intriguing secrets to share.