Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…a jock, a tramp, a nerd, a druggie and an academic honor student steal away to a cabin for an irresponsible weekend with no impending doom whatsoever. Okay, maybe that’s every horror movie ever. But writer Joss Whedon (creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Serenity”) takes his age-old story and turns it on its head with a refreshing twist.
The story begins as follows. Five friends head on a weekend vacation full of booze, hooking up and loud music. On the way there, a cryptic old man warns them that the cabin is unsafe and full of horrors.
Of course, they don’t take it too seriously and head into the woods without further ado. Meanwhile we find out that a mysterious corporation is somehow involved in this trip and somehow are in control of it. Their interest in the college students is ominous and mysterious at best. As time goes on, we realize that this corporation is involved in something much more sinister than you ever could’ve thought.
While I wouldn’t want to give away the plot, Whedon finds a way to gently make fun of the often-predicable horror movie genre; while also finding a way to somehow make sense of it.
The actors are likable and talented, especially the underrated Fran Kranz, whose portrayal of the eccentric pothead Marty is both hilarious and heartwarming. As always, Whedon’s quirky characters are the life of the movie, finding a way to compete with the movie’s complex and epic plotline.
As far as the scares, “Cabin” delivers. You’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat; with a good scare waiting around ever turn. However, Whedon balances this with a good amount of comedy and intrusive. As a big fan of intelligent horror films, I was glad to see that there was a method to this movie’s carnage.
I would strongly suggest this movie, even if you aren’t a huge horror fan. If you can stomach the gore and handle the scares, it’s worth every penny that you’ll pay.