The Forest
The Forest

The Forest

2014Movie82 minFrench

The Forest is both a vibrantly spontaneous and brutally funny family drama, and a glorious tribute to acting and theater - in other words, an Arnaud Desplechin film. With Michel Vuillermoz and Denis Podalydès as the nephew and his friend, Adeline D’Hermy as the niece, and Martine Chevallier in a stunning performance as the sublimely selfish aunt Raissa.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes30%
Metacritic34/100
Google Users36%
Director: Jason ZadaGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young American woman, Sara Price, travels to Japan to find her estranged twin sister, Jess, who has mysteriously disappeared. Against the advice of locals and the ominous warnings surrounding the Aokigahara Forest, Sara ventures into the dense woods where she believes Jess took her own life. Inside the forest, Sara is haunted by terrifying visions and encounters the spirits of those who have died there, forcing her to confront her own inner demons and fight for survival.

Critical Reception

The Forest received largely negative reviews from critics and was considered a disappointment by audiences. While some praised the atmospheric setting and Natalie Dormer's performance, the film was widely criticized for its derivative plot, predictable scares, and lack of originality within the horror genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film attempts to blend psychological horror with supernatural elements but ultimately falls short.
  • Natalie Dormer's dual performance is a highlight, but it's not enough to save the movie.
  • The scares are uninspired and the plot relies on tired horror tropes.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate disappointment with the film's predictable storyline and lack of genuine scares. While some appreciated the visual presentation and atmosphere, many found it to be a forgettable entry in the horror genre.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely in Serbia, doubling for the Aokigahara Forest in Japan, due to logistical and cost reasons.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review