The Grove

The writing and co-direction by Acorye White and Patrycja Kepa show intriguing ambition. Merging sci-fi, psychological horror, and trauma in a secluded cabin setting is not easy. The top actors deliver: White brings a layered vulnerability to Terrance's struggle, and Carl Anthony Payne II (as Chris) lightens the mood with unexpected humor that offsets the darker turns.

The Grove is a bold little film that takes the original concept of a Black Ops soldier undergoing an experimental super-soldier treatment and transforms it into something both terrifying and emotionally grounded. Terrance (played by Acorye White) returns home, only to descend into chaos when the medication regimen collapses. It's not flawless, but it's a fresh take, and I'll be thinking about it more.

I went into The Grove expecting a standard horror and left surprised by the originality of the setup. Co-writers and co-directors Acorye White and Patrycja Kepa take risks with relationship dynamics and build to horror rather than launching straight into monster mode.

White is compelling as Terrance, torn between duty, love, and losing himself, while Carl Anthony Payne II brings a grounded presence as Chris, the friend trying to hold things together.

The film's unique style lies in its contrast between the weekend-getaway vibe and the creeping dread of military experimentation. It's visually appealing as well. Brock is a cool character, and his relationship with the other guys gave me a laugh at times.

A creative, solid film with heart.

I try to actually rate movies what I think they deserve. I'm not really part of the 1 or 10 crowd. This movie is a 3, generously.

Why did I even keep watching? If I'm being honest, just to see if one of the girls got naked. They didn't.

You know how sometimes you turn on a movie and you can tell right away it's a low budget, weird camera work kinda thing? Well, actually in this department, this film is a small step above that. But that's where it stops. The characters are so shallow, so completely one note, it's intolerable. The writing is also an eye-roll extravaganza. The acting is one step above laughable. The worst part? NOTHING INTERESTING HAPPENS.

This movie has an actual plot that just doesn't materialize... At all. That alone is so absurd, it's actually remarkable. There are weird cuts where the movie just jumps forward in time with no lead in. The mild amount of gore and action is so quick cut, that you're not even sure what happened.

I don't know. I just had to see this one through to the end. But I will likely never speak of or think of it again.

Full of promise, aside from the whispering lead. Great idea for a story, that until now has only been touched upon briefly: what if.

The characters were pretty unbelievable though: 50 year old retired vet hanging out with 19 year olds....and another vet half his age. Not saying it is impossible, just that it never happens, and for good reason as you might see here if you brave it.

Overall, sub-par acting, horrid storytelling, plot swiss cheese, terrible lighting and effects.

The worst part of this entire thing? They end it abruptly and tell you more is coming.

I'm not waiting to see a 90 minute movie finished up in another 90 minute movie; not when it's bad.

Full of promise, but they yank the rug out from under you at the very last second.

Okay, hear me out. This is not a sci-fi horror thriller. I mean yes, there is a super soldier serum subplot of serious stupidity in the movie. But since there is actually no cohesive plot, none of that stuff means anything.

What we are left with is a collection of outtakes from a scrapped remake of Jason X by Tyler Perry. Or it's a futuristic dystopian version of W. A. G.s. Or the Game. There are a long scenes of couples just coupling. Or bros just broing.

I have no idea what they were going for with this movie. But they failed.

The music was stuff they didn't use on Empire. The second half of the movie is like if they were rehearsing West Side Story or The Heights in a cabin with no rights to the songs while two other film companies remake American Werewolf in London and Predator in the same woods.

This movie is terrible garbage.