Stranger in the Woods (I) (2024) User Reviews

Let's rent a house and make a movie. Errrr....lets not.

[stevelivesey-37183 · 3/10 · 27 February 2024]

Low budget attempt at a horror/ slasher drama.

Firstly, I am not going too hard on a movie that clearly has a small budget and made independently. That being said, this is poor by any standard.

The direction, the editing, the sound design, the acting, the script, the plot and cinematography is all poor. I can only imagine what someone like Sam Raimi would have done with something like this.

This is Holly Kenney's first stab at doing a screenplay and it shows. It doesn't help that she has decided to play the lead character herself.

There are strange scenes all over the place. The dog, who is the best actor in the film, disappears and reappears for little or no reason.

[4.8] Blue-brown eyes and red hands

[cjonesas · 5/10 · 29 March 2024]

A not so bad sort of indie thriller where everything is average, though original with good acting, flow, pace and atmosphere. Of course, the logic is not there, the budget arguably tight and the lead actress and the "villains" doing more than decent jobs.

It was satisfying and bright with that 1h22m runtime accounting its pace and vibe. Just would have been better if the dog didn't "magically" disappear and acted like a nice protective dog.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 3.5
• Production value/impact: 4
• Development: 6.5
• Realism: 4
• Entertainment: 6
• Acting: 6
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 6.5
• VFX: 7.5
• Music/score/sound: 5.5
• Depth: 3.5
• Logic: 1.5
• Flow: 5.5
• Thriller: 4
• Ending: 3.5.

Screenwriting For Dummies!

[djchurney-55734 · 1/10 · 16 February 2024]

For the past 40 years I've been a sucker for horror movies. Every Tuesday and Friday I will check to see what horror movies have released and over the weekend I will binge watch them. Over the years I've seen it all, the good and the bad. Well this movie is on a spectrum that is below bad. You might ask, "Is it so bad it's good?" The answer is no! I would add some part of the plot for this review, but I really can't, because the plot is completely incoherent. The acting is atrocious, the writing is some of the worst I ever seen, and I'm not exaggerating. When making a horror movie, you want to make the characters likable, so when they are killed off it leaves a lasting impact, and it also gives you a reason to root for them to beat the killer. After 15 minutes into this movie, I wanted it to end, and was hoping the killer would just dispatch everyone, especially the lead girl. She's accusatory, judgmental, and thinks she's better and smarter than everyone else, and the rest of the cast isn't much better and I was hoping they would also be killed quickly. The only character that was solid, didn't even speak, and that was the dog, who is there one minute, then gone the next, then shows up at the end only to be forgotten about for the remainder of the movie. As for the writer of this mess, find another hobby, because this screenplay is an absolute mess, and that's probably giving it to much credit. When I watch a movie I wanna sit back and relax and have a good time and escape the daily grind of life. I definitely don't want to end up being infuriated by characters that I immediately hated, and by a screenplay that uses zero logic. So I'm going to do you a favor and give you some advice. Don't listen to the one planted review, stay far away from this trash. I watched this garbage so you don't have to!

This is sooo bad movie.

[geraltwitcher23 · 1/10 · 15 February 2024]

If you like to watch good horror movies from time to time...Stranger in the Woods noy for you. First of all it's not a horror or even slasher, it 100% predictible, bad written with weak lead role performance and finally just boring. If you wanna see good horror try "Thanksgiving" instead.

I just can't understand how this picture has a such many rewards..This movie dane everything that you already saw many times before but worse...much much worse. I don't regret my time so often, especially when it comes to horror movies, but this is the rare case when I want to say "Don't spend your time like I did" .

No just no.....

[kaleyallibon · 2/10 · 24 March 2024]

The ending is the worst ending of a movie I've seen in a really long time! Here is right before the ending: She has a gun, sees the one trying to kill her is still alive, puts gun down to ring the police on a landline that probably isn't even working and then runs upstairs to get away from him leaving the gun behind! Enough said? Terrible movie.

I wasted 82 minutes of my life to watch this! It's terrible avoid avoid avoid!

I also had to write this and I never write reviews just so people know how terrible this movie was! Urgh!!!! Avoid it at all costs! Or watch it for a laugh! You might enjoy it!

This maybe the funniest film of 2024 and this is NOT the best horror film of 2024

[kmkevinn-64733 · 2/10 · 27 February 2024]

What did I just suffer for 82 flipping minutes, bad dialogue, dry character development, worst performance by actors. I did not enjoyed this film not one bit because it's very dry, cinematography was lackluster, script was poop and very stupid, jack off to screen monitors is actually hilarious. None of the actors did not have the best dialogue and they did not tried hard enough. Here's why? 1. Character name Olivia was such a bad character growth depth, her husband Cole was upset because Olivia said no and Cole killed himself, that was actually hilarious and ridiculous that I was laughing my butt for this type of film. Olivia lost her dog in the next day and it's a montage of looking for a dog which is actually stupid instead they found a dead fox in a bear trap which that sounds accurate but at least one of the characters ½ brother is a good amish looking person which he is the funniest part of the film which I do appreciated the enjoyment of a 2 out of 10 instead of like uggghhhh best horror film of this year. Let me explain you something there, OUT of DARKNESS is the best film of this year so far 10/10 and no one tops the hat off to you, Double Blind is a 9/10 this was a excellent movie 10% of it was nit picky, Lovely, Dark and Deep is a 6/10 because it looks like a perfect example of Yellowstone National Park as an Horror Film. This film called Stranger In the Woods is a stupid movie name, with a mediocre storyline and a very poor script as well as production value. Next time be more scarier like Sister Death or When Evil Lurks those 2 rocks!! In conclusion very stupid and pretty bad acting and screenplay all around. The storyline made little sense (if the cops were called twice why did it take them so long to show up?) and the writing was bland, boring, and lacking. Overall not worth your time, hard to call this a thriller. This maybe the funniest film of 2024 and.

Lovely location, lousy film.

[dweston-38669 · 1 March 2024]

Somewhere in this, could, be a nifty little thriller however with poor direction and tedious acting it becomes a bore.

Firstly the characters are all stereotypical of the kind that go into the woods in the first place- they tire of the city,their successful,one is going through some mental health issues, being away gives them reason to paaarty etc. They don't develop or act in any interesting way, they're all from the same stock characters that populate all these types of movies.

The 'boyfriend' overacts so horribly at the end he makes Jack Nicholson in The Shining seem like a kitten. Laughably bad!

And his brother is so overdrawn as a reclusive backwater hunter , he'll make the characters in Deliverance appear like page Boys.

The direction is poor with an over abundance of slow mo shots of running, a protracted ending and sloppy ending. The wet music adds nothing.

The only person who comes out of this routine horror is the lovely dog!

Sex in the Forest

[nogodnomasters · 2/10 · 5 May 2024]

A group of friends goes on vacation with Olivia (Holly Kenney) after a failed attempted suicide following the death of her boyfriend Cole. Olivia claims she was attacked and no one believes her. She was discovered by Sam (Brendin Brown) a childhood friend and Theresa (Paris Nicole). The vacation also includes Liam (Devon Stewart) who is Theresa's boyfriends and Brandon (Radek Antczak) her "work husband" who has a crush on her. And her dog Koda who she needs for support. They rent a cabin from San's creepy half-brother Clayton (Teddy Spencer) who carries a side ram. He hunts, traps, and does taxidermy. He is half-witted and has anger management issues. Olivia becomes upset when her dog goes missing. Things are not right with Clayton and it becomes uncomfortable.

The movie was slow and the "twist" wasn't climatic and seemed pointless to the dull film. It could have benefited from engaging dialogue.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

Not an Award Winner

[VeldaVoom · 1/10 · 29 April 2024]

The 48 awards this movie supposedly won are from non-existent film festivals. Basically, there are hundreds of festivals that exist in name only on blogs. Just submit your movie poster and be named winners. There are thousands of categories to possible.

I'm glad I didn't waste any time watching this movie. It has to be absolutely retched, since movie insiders had to write some over the top positive reviews.

Lousy uninspired acting, trite setting, typical unhinged woman whose friends don't believe her. At least for once the dog didn't end up butchered on the porch. I'm guessing it needed time away from the unhinged woman too.

Non-formulaic Creep Fest!

[bowoman · 8/10 · 22 February 2024]

I totally enjoyed this thriller with its non-formulaic storyline and production qualities. Its originality is bolstered by plot twists and creep-a-licious characters as well as, old fashioned horror.

And God bless whoever the genius was that decided NOT to underscore the entire movie with music telegraphing the viewer how to feel next. The lack of dramatic music actually makes this film seem so real, I occasionally forgot to suspend my disbelief -- just in time to be scared all over again.

I didn't really recognize any of the actors (and I'm a pretty big movie buff) but that just added to the realism for me. This whole story could have happened to anyone. Well done!

Better than many films with much bigger budgets.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 29 February 2024]

After narrowly surviving a suicide attempt in her bath, Olivia, her friends and beloved dog head for a much needed break at a cabin in the woods, the tranquility is short lived, as a killer is keen to take the party down, one by one.

A rating of 3.6.....really, compared to some of the dross I've endured recently, this is much, much better, clearly made on a shoestring, but for me it held up pretty well.

It didn't try to be super clever, or go for two much, simple and straightforward, and that was the charm, very easy viewing, and at just over eighty minutes long, it didn't lull, pacing was actually pretty decent.

It was never going to hit the mainstream, but if you're a horror fan, and keen on the low budget horror flicks, I can definitely recommend it.

I thought writer Holly Kenney wrote quite an interesting story here, and I couldn't fault her acting performance either, good job all round.

6/10.

Beautiful and chilling indie with a wealth of brand new talent

[kelliesibbitt · 10/10 · 16 February 2024]

This beautiful indie movie punches above its weight class, with a cast of unknown actors delivering powerful performances. The themes of paranoia and isolation dance nicely with modern conversations about gaslighting and victim blaming.

I say the actors are unknown, but that won't be the case for long; Holly Kenney is a dramatic and powerful tour de force, walking the line of a woman on the edge of hysteria or revelation. Brendin Brown shows impressive, jaw dropping range that ramps up the intensity to a fever pitch. TA Spencer's performance is so good, you can't look away- simultaneously charged with tension and energy, and grounded with measured restraint. Devon Stewart is wildly charismatic and Radek Antczak's nuanced performance complements and balances the group dynamic. Paris Nicole shines as Kenney's effervescent, well meaning best friend. Even Koda the dog is a star!

The aesthetics of this movie are stunning. Director Adam Newacheck and Cinematographer Travis Prow crafted a film that captures the natural beauty of the woods, and the unsettling, out of place/time/other worldliness of a stranger's cabin.

The devotion and craftsmanship poured into this movie are evident and delivers on a much higher level than other first time indies. Mark this one, so you can say you saw them all right before they became household names.

(Also...I want that picky picky picky apron)

Incel "Nice Guys" Don't Like This

[Farfallina78 · 6/10 · 28 February 2024]

This movie is a low budget indie and I think it exceeded my expectations. Acting was decent, the cast was diverse.

Olivia's friends take her for a weekend getaway to the woods after she supposedly attempted suicide. Her friend/crush Sam's brother Clayton owns the cabin they rent and he lives in the adjacent one. Clayton is seemingly the "odd brother" in a Survival off the grid way.

Olivia's dog disappears and she soon suspects Clayton. The others try to let Olivia know she's being paranoid and kind of "crazy", especially after her suicide attempt. But Olivia insists she never tried to end her life and someone tried to murder her.

I'm not going to give away spoilers even if I think many fans of this genre could figure things out. My only real gripe is yet again in a horror/thriller, police are called yet never arrive. It's obvious at least an hour passes. But this isn't a problem unique to this film.

At an hour and 20 minutes I think this is an easy watch and it's actually quite on topic with a situation many women experience.

Decent indie, many females will relate.

Sooo good

[leehah · 10/10 · 17 February 2024]

I hate thriller and horror movies but this was so good. The plot twist at the end through us all off guard. Spellbinding from start to finish, this horror gem delivers spine-tingling suspense and chilling thrills. With masterful storytelling and hair-raising scares, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, craving more. A must-watch for horror aficionados, it's a hauntingly satisfying cinematic experience!

The atmospheric cinematography and eerie soundtrack create an immersive world of dread, while the talented cast delivers captivating performances that draw you deeper into the nightmare. Clever twists and unexpected turns keep you guessing until the bone-chilling finale.