User reviews

I watched this movie for the first time like 10 years ago, and I had to watch it again now. This movie is a combination of genres, and it does a really good job of tying them all together. Horror, thriller, mystery, comedy and parody. The movie shows several horror clichés that have been seen countless times and the characters do the opposite of these clichés, with humor, which was great to see.

The Cabin in the Woods is about five stereotypical horror movie characters that are going to spend some time in a cabin in the woods. But there is so much more to this cabin than you know. As the movie tells you: "If you think you know this story. THINK AGAIN." And that is so true, especially the ending. This movie has one of the most epic and unexpected endings I have ever seen. I was so entertained by this movie, and I strongly recommend it. If you have not seen it, see it, because it's awesome. If you have seen it, see it again, because it's still awesome!

This film is firing on all cylinders. The cast is AMAZING! It pokes fun at the whole horror genre, while still managing to be one of the best in the genre. This flick is Hemsworth-the-watch.

Originality built off the foundation of every cliche in the book... mad you didn't think of it first? Haha This had a really solid and original concept that was truly the star of the show in this film. Supported by solid execution in pacing, acting and the balance between horror, comedy and adventure. It kept the intrigue and engagement up throughout. It felt nostalgic yet new, fresh and exciting. It was a well rounded, throughly planned/ thought out, entertaining film.

Im not sure it was QUITE as funny or clever as it felt like it thought it was. The only comedy that landed was due to the acting ability of the stoner. He kind of saved the comedic aspect of this film. And even then some of it was hokey. Great casting all around though, solid actors.

Also I think the grand scheme of the plot could have used some more interesting elaboration. I wish we could have gotten a little bit more background on the rituals and how/why they were doing them. They gave us just enough to be passable, but I would have liked more.

I would love to see a sequel to this made today, over ten years later. It would be interesting to see how they could expand upon this concept (and not make it trash, as so many tend to be). While not perfect, this movie really checked all the boxes for me. 7.5 rounding up to an 8, would recommend for a fun time.

I just can't get enough of this film. This year alone I have already watched it 4 times (and the year isn't even done yet). It works on so many levels and is so much fun; the way the conventions of the 'Horror' genre are turned upside down, while at the same time the story transcends the mere spoof and satire and becomes something new, entirely original – just: Wow!

It's clear this film was a labour of love; every tiny little detail was cared for and the writing is just phenomenal. The dialogues between the 'office clerks' alone are beyond priceless and offer such great, apparently effortless performances by Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford (two absolutely fantastic character actors, by the way) – this movie has simply everything. And the last 20 minutes offer the biggest payoff I have ever seen in a film. A rare treat and a true pleasure for film geeks like me. Thank you Joss and Drew! 10 stars out of 10.

Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054200841/

Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

Favorite Low-Budget and B-movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/

What fun. This is a horror comedy with every monster known to man and then some. It's funny, smart and you can't predict this one. Sigourney Weaver shines as usual. A bunch of young cutes go to a cabin in the woods to be young and cute together. Unknown to them this cabin is infested.

I'm not a horror fan. Although, films pertaining to demonic possession scare me into a four year old, it's just not my taste. I'm also pretty late in watching this movie. I found it online and decided to watch since I had nothing else to do. I was kind of intrigued after seeing Joss Whedon's name in the credits for producing and writing.

Overall, I loved this movie. It started off as your typical horror film, but turn into something much bigger and more authentic. Every horror in the past twenty years has been predictable. You know who is going to die, you know who the killer is, you know if the dumb blonde runs off screaming into a dark hallway she's more than likely going to have her head get cut off. But this movie was the exact opposite because I had absolutely no clue what was going to happen next. I'm sure a high percentage of people will not appreciate the sci-fi twist to the movie but I loved and thought it was an awesome idea. All horror movies are kind of science fiction anyways. It seems like all the killers are super human anyway because they don't seem to ever die no matter how many times you shoot them, stab them or hit them with a truck. This movie just did it on a larger scale.

The script was solid as well. Joss Whedon writes the best dialogue and knows how to play off of cliché's and those corny predictable monologues and speeches.

To everyone saying they hated this movie, it's obvious that they don't like change and are probably upset because the originality of this film pretty much slays all their favorite horror movies to dust. It's not Oscar worthy but it's a great Friday night movie with your friends that will keep everyone on the edge of their seat, anticipating what's going to happen next.

I have to hand it to the filmmakers. They definitely made a film that no one would have ever thought it. Just like my title says, you either love it or you hate it. You can't please everyone but this customer was satisfied from beginning.

After the "parody" movies of the 2000s comes The Cabin in the Woods, a lesson in how to poke fun at a genre while still telling a compelling story. It incorporates all the clichés of the horror genre but in a clever way that all ties together. Even when you think you know what's going to happen, the film goes off the rails and goes into completely new territory.

If you are a fan of art drama or you simply don't like the horror genre, I can understand if you hated this. But for every true fan of horror, with at least a basic knowledge of at least cult horrors through the history of the genre, this should be a real joy. "The Cabin in the Woods" is a weird movie that can not be precisely genre determined. It gathers horror ideas seen countless times and turns them upside-down. Nothing in this movie is new, but the greatest thing about it is its ability to make something very original using totally outworn horror cliches. This is a parody and homage at the same time. It is a funny-scary movie with great visuals and even better dialogues and one-liners, and its pace and twists (even the predictable ones) will not let you get bored even for a minute. And the final revelation is at the same time one of the most ridiculous and one of the most awesome things I have ever seen on the big screen. It is not a masterpiece, but it is a real gem and I loved it.

8/10

The Cabin in the Woods (2011) follows a group of friends who go on vacation to a cabin and find themselves getting more than they bargained for. Overall, this is a fun and interesting horror. It's definitely a love letter to fans of all things horror, including fun little references to other films.

The cinematography is very lacklustre and I definitely expected more in terms of colour palettes and camerawork. The lighting is fairly poor at times too, and it's hard to see what's going on. However, there are a few shot transitions that I really liked.

The sound design is also quite basic, and it doesn't really help to set up an effective atmosphere. However, I did like the score. It isn't entirely original, but it's a lot of fun and very attention grabbing. Also, there are some super funny music cues throughout.

We get a good feel for the characters, and although they follow very basic tropes, this just adds to the 80s inspired charm of the film. There are some hilarious lines, paired well with distinctive and goofy performances. I particularly like Fran Kranz as Marty and Bradley Whitford as Hadley.

The film is unique from the start, and a fun and easy watch all throughout. It doesn't drag and feels a lot shorter than it is. It does get a little confusing at times but I feel it's explained well and in an easy-to-digest manner.

The Cabin in the Woods is a spin on the horror genre from writer's Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, without giving away the spoilerish parts of the plot, I'll simply say that it involves 5 friends who fit the horror movie stereotypes (Jock, Slut, Party-Guy, Nerd, Virgin) who go to a cabin in the woods to party and get away from it all. Trouble is, its never really safe to go to a cabin in the woods is it?

To be honest, the less you know about this film, the more awesome it will be. I felt that the trailer gave away a bit too much of the twists and turns one can expect from the film, but at the same time the image of a bird flying into a giant forcefield is what will set this film apart from the generic horror films that hit the theatres today. The Cabin In The Woods tells you upfront "You think you know the story..." but of course you don't. This is Joss Whedon after all. Fans of Buffy and Angel will get a kick out of this, as actors from that universe make their way into this film.

It's been a long time since I've had a lot of fun at the movies and the Cabin in the Woods was a lot of fun. It's an odd movie to sell, because a lot of it has to be kept secret to make the second half of the movie exciting and fresh. It blends a few genres together, the two main ones being horror and comedy and it works perfectly. Both Whedon and Goddard worked on Buffy and Angel, which was a balancing act of genres, so they knew the right tone to get here and they nailed it. They take the clichéd aspects of every horror film and put it in here, to brilliant use. We actually get to see reasons for stupid character mistakes, which made that whole aspect of the film fun.

Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford have great chemistry together and stole every scene they're in. I would love to see these two character actors work together again, they made this film really fun and they are a joy to watch on the screen. The young actors, including Thor himself Chris Hemsworth, sell the clichéd horror characters very well. In most horror flicks I can't stand any of the characters, here I was rooting for all of them.

There are some truly hilarious moments, I am dying to talk about them, but doing so would ruin the surprises. All I can say is that I was laughing throughout the entire film, I cheered, I clapped and I enjoyed myself. There are a lot of horror references, most notably The Evil Dead, so it's fun to spot things here and there. Horror fans I think will really get a kick of of this flick and I pray it does well, cause it's the most fun I've had in a long time.

Drew Goddard's first directorial gig, he had a lot on his plate and he managed to pull off one hell of a film. It helps when you have someone like Joss Whedon in your corner, but I applaud him for being able to pull off the tone perfectly, I imagine the script to screen process was identical. This is a very clever script, with laughs, gore and surprises at every corner. When you have Goddard, whose worked on Buffy, Angel, Lost and wrote Cloverfield, teamed up with partner Joss Whedon who is one of the best writers working today, then you know you're walking into something special. I can't recommend this flick enough. When it comes out, you must go see it.

Just makes sure you don't know much about it beforehand, or it might ruin the awesome factor.

An incredibly clever and meta take on the horror comedy genre. It is both a love letter and a criticism on the cliches and tropes used in horror movies. What makes this film unique is how it uses the tropes for its narrative purpose.

I personally, would move or remove some of the scenes in the first act to give the movie a sense of mystery. There is a lot of scenes with a certain duo that I feel would have been better introduced in the second act. That way the first act feels more like a cliche horror movie because it gets completely flipped on its head in the second act. Apart from that, I find this to be a throughly enjoyable film!

I'm a big Horror Fan. I have been since I was a young child. I've never seen anything like this movie before. It's a combination of everything. It's taken everything from every other Horror Movie and thrown it all into this movie. But what is really impressive is the fact that the movie has it's own (original) plot.

What people seem to get confused about is that this is also a comedy. If you haven't laughed within the first 10 mins, then you better walk out right now, because the movie is exactly the same all through out. I was laughing all the way through it. This movie is just bizarre. One of the most bizarre Horror/Comedies i've ever watched in my life, is fact, the most bizarre Horror/Comedy i've watched in my life.

Don't be expecting any scary scenes or anything suspenseful, because this is the wrong movie for you.

The acting was great, well written, well directed and excellent comedy one-liners and with the best twist i've ever seen! This movie is exactly where it needs to be, it's a cult movie. It's "EXACTLY" what it should be. I'm part of the cult following! A cult classic and the best movie i've seen of 2012! If you are a Horror (over the top violence) mixed in with comedy fan, I 110% recommend this one! 10/10

I don't know why people are saying that this film was an abomination and advising others not to see it, because it has all if the element required in a fantastic horror.

For me it re-ignited the flame in what was a dying genre, being poisoned by numerous of extremely bad films. Not only did it make it's way into my favorite horrors of all time, but it makes me have faith that people can once again create a true horror. Now there are only remakes of horrors, ( Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street ....) or prequels, ( Prometheus ).

This movie is full of twists and turns you don't know what way it's going to go. It's smart, funny, gory and sexy with fantastic acting by all the cast. I was on the edge of my seat hungry for more.

Overall, I rated this movie a 10 because it deserved it. This was one of the best films I've seen in a very long time and is one that I'll be watching over and over again.

This is one of my favorite movies so this review will be a little (ok, a lot) biased. I love watching horror movies and so before I went to see this film a friend of .one said "it isn't what you think. It will surprise you." Now, I went to see this movie thinking I had it all figured out. Despite my friends warning, I thought I had figured out the twist and would see it coming. Boy was I wrong. Within the first 5 minutes, what I thought was the twist was already revealed and the movie still played out with more twists, humor, and deaths than I could imagine. The movie is a bit explanatory at times opting to tell us what is going on instead of us figuring it out, but I feel it works because the entire movie is really like an introductory coarse on the tropes of horror movies.

I'm a Joss Wheedon fan, so I had pretty high expectations for this - and it just didn't live up to them. For a John Carpenter movie, this'd be pretty much middle of the road, and for a Ewe Boll flick, this would be a masterpiece, but it's not really up to Joss's usual standards.

The single most disappointing part of the movie is the editing - much of the action is shown in dimly-lit, flash-cut closeups. The film editors, having seen all of the footage shot, know what's going on; they forget that the audience doesn't, and much of the action leaves the audience wondering what the heck just happened. This trend in cinematography is already longer-lived than it deserved; maybe Hollywood will get over the 'flash cuts cause excitement' nonsense and get back to telling the story, rather than manipulating the audience.

Other than that, there was a new twist on an old genre, some good fun, some mystery to solve, some characters you could care about, and an unusual ending. Worth seeing, but don't expect a masterpiece, and accept that there's action that you won't quite be able to see.

The Cabin in the Woods is nothing short of a masterclass in horror filmmaking. From its clever script to its innovative premise, this movie redefines the genre.

1. **Originality**: It brilliantly subverts classic horror tropes, taking the audience on an unexpected journey that keeps you guessing.

2. **Clever Writing**: The screenplay is sharp and witty, blending humor with genuine scares. The dialogue is both engaging and thought-provoking.

3. **Character Development**: Each character is well-crafted, allowing viewers to connect with them before the chaos ensues. Their arcs add depth to the story.

4. **Atmospheric Tension**: The film builds suspense masterfully, using both sound and visual cues to create an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.

5. **Innovative Concept**: The meta-narrative adds layers to the viewing experience, making you question the very nature of horror films while still delivering on scares.

6. **Visual Effects**: The special effects are top-notch, enhancing the horror elements without overshadowing the story.

7. **Direction**: Drew Goddard's direction is spot-on, balancing humor and horror seamlessly. His vision brings the script to life in a captivating way.

8. **Soundtrack**: The score complements the film perfectly, heightening the tension and adding to the overall eerie vibe.

9. **Rewatchability**: This is a film that begs to be watched multiple times. Each viewing reveals new details and layers, making it a rewarding experience.

10. **Cultural Commentary**: Beyond being a horror flick, it provides insightful commentary on the genre itself, making it a must-watch for any film enthusiast.

In conclusion, "The Cabin in the Woods" is a brilliant and entertaining horror film that stands out for its originality and depth. It's a rare gem that not only terrifies but also makes you think.

Pretty good horror movie, full of mosters with a lot of entertainment and amusement. Some guys (Chris Hemsworth as Curt , Fran Kranz , Jesse Williams) are there to pick up the girls (Kristen Connolly as Dana and Anna Hutchison) for a long weekend at a lakeside cabin that Curt's cousin owns . The likable five friends on their RV go for a break at a remote cabin, where they get more than they bargained for, discovering the truth behind the cabin in the woods . If you hear a strange sound outside... have sex. If an old man warns you not to go there... make fun of him. Quaint abandoned property... sold. You think you know the story. If the basement door swings open... go down there. Five friends go to a cabin in the woods. Bad things happen. We work with what we have. There is a greater good, and for that you must be sacrificed. If something is chasing you... split up.

An original and attractive plot in which a lot of monsters stir from the depths to cause wreak havoc , apart from a breathtaking final with total chaos , mayhem and extreme destruction . Somewhat different monster film that turns to be a jokey but extremely gory pastiche , but still somewhat entertaining . The film has chills , action , thrills, hilarious moments and the rest is a nice spoof hokum . The sympathetic and young cast as Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth , Anna Hutchison , Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams giving agreeable acting and being finely accompanied by a more veteran support cast as Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Amy Acker and Brian White. There are a lot of cinematic references concerning failed rituals from other countries o various classic monsters , in fact , the Kyoto ritual is a remark to Ringu or The Ring , to Dracula , Werewolf , to King Kong, and the Stockholm ritual is a reference to John Carpenter's The Thing , being this latter film a beloved and influenced cult movie for Goddard . Writer Joss Whedon and director Drew Goddard created over 50 different types of monsters that were created specifically for The Cabin in the Woods . Director Goddard tells about The Cabin in the Woods : ¨So much of this movie ends up being about mythology in general, and our pagan nature... When you're dealing with archetypes you're dealing with things that have been around forever, and that is very much at the heart of "Cabin in the Woods," that this isn't just about horror movies, this is about mythology, and who we are as a people, and what we keep doing to youth, and how that we have this need, as people, to idealize youth, and then marginalize youth, and then destroy youth. That is a pattern our society falls into, and has fallen into, since we first came out of the caves¨.

It contains a suspenseful and thrilling musical score from David Julyan . As well as a brilliant and colorful cinematography by Peter Deming. This clever motion picture was competently directed , being Drew Goddard's directorial debut , here he returns to the tradition al Hollywood gang of monsters and he performs around imaginatively with the genre while giving several cool touches . Previously , Drew worked as a production assistant in L. A. after graduation. A spec script Drew wrote based on Six Feet Under (2001) came to the attention of both Marti Noxon at Buffy, slayer (1997) and David Greenwalt at Ángel (1999). Both wanted him but because Marti found him first, Joss Whedon determined Drew would go to "Buffy". He became a staff writer for Season 7 (2002-2003), writing five episodes . Once "Buffy" was over , Drew moved over to "Angel" and became the executive story editor for Season 5 (2003-2004), writing four episodes. Drew also found time to contribute two stories to the "Tales of the Vampires" comic series and after producing notorious TV series as ¨The Good Place¨ , ¨Daredevil¨, ¨The Defenders¨, ¨Lost¨and films as ¨Cloverfield 10¨, ¨The Martian¨, The Cloverfield Paradox¨, ¨Bad Times at the Royale¨ . Rating : 7/10. Better than average.

I would normally be leery of giving out a perfect 10 rating, but if ever there was a modern horror movie that was worthy of a 10, it's this one. "Cabin in the Woods" has done what I no longer thought was possible for a horror movie, it blew my mind and showed me something I never expected. When I first saw a trailer for this on television I thought "Oh great, another recycled, clichéd horror flick. Can't they think of anything other than putting a group of young people in a stale setting and kill them off one by one?" Well it would appear that they can. This is a film that is nearly impossible to market effectively without giving anything away. Some of the more recent trailers have included much more footage that gives a glimpse into what this movie REALLY is about. Word of mouth should be the biggest factor that helps make this movie popular. I just hope for your sake that no one spoils this brilliant gem for you. It's best to go into it with as little information as possible. I really enjoyed the pacing of this movie. They could've taken this in an entirely different direction if they simply wanted to shock you at the end. Instead, they treat the film like a slow, steady reveal. In fact, the opening scene does not even feature the group of kids that we follow on their horrific trip to the cabin. Instead, it opens with the "other" side of this story and the characters who get about as much screen time as our heroine and her pals. The result is a cinematic experience like none other. The audience is fed bits of information little by little throughout the entire film, so you're always hot on the trail of this story's secrets. You won't know exactly what's going on but you'll feel like you have a pretty good grasp on things the further you advance into it. In reality, every time this plot reveals a twist, it also introduces more brand new questions into your mind. So the twists don't just come completely out of left field and shock you, but they guide you through a very intriguing story that manages to keep expanding into something bigger and bigger. I'm so glad they wrote the script this way. I feel like 9 times out of 10 the writers of today would be too tempted to create a story that hides everything behind the curtain and focuses solely on the kids at this cabin. That way they can build up to a final payoff that no one would ever see coming. This payoff is too big to simply catch you off guard with. They got this right, a movie that isn't only original for the end of the third act, but a refreshing journey from start to finish. Go experience this film before you overhear people talking about it at the water cooler.