User Reviews

I had expected more from this movie, a whole lot more actually. But hey, maybe it wasn't just my type of movie.

The story deals with a couple that goes into solitude as Susan (the woman) is dying, and they want to be together. Then while jogging, Henry (the man) stumbles upon a young girl in distress. He rescues Alicia and brings her into their cabin. Then from there, the story becomes one of human emotions, desires, struggles and inner turmoil. Enough said about the storyline without giving too much away.

Even though the storyline had potential, I wasn't entertained by it. The movie crept forward in a very, very slow pace, and I found it to be mind-numbing. Had the story moved forward faster, with more things happening, the movie would have been all the more better. For me, the movie took way to long to get from A to B, and that killed the movie for me.

The people in the movie were unfamiliar faces, to me at least. And I found the movie was carried by Tracy Coogan (playing Susan Branch) and Mary Kate Wiles (playing Alicia Larch). I didn't find John Muscarnero (playing Henry Branch) to really fully be in character. There was a single familiar face in the movie, though having only a supporting role, and that being James Russo (playing sheriff Demming). There are relatively few people in the movie, and it works well enough actually.

One thing that stands out in the movie was that they managed to put together a decent enough movie with a fairly small budget. And that was cool. Always nice when smaller companies put together something out of the ordinary, just a shame that the movie was slow to get anywhere. And also the scenery and sets were nice, I especially liked the feeling of isolation in the forest.

Overall, I found "Dark Woods" to be a below average movie. It is listed as a thriller, but there were hardly any thrills in the entire movie. And I think that actually was what lead me to pick up this movie, so I was expecting thrills and excitement. Having seen "Dark Woods", I can now honestly say that this movie, for me, doesn't have enough watching value for a second time.

I saw this movie recently. Don't know if its out in theaters or when it will be but it should be. Movies like this, especially independent ones, sadly are not made anymore. Its all horror and really lame (almost sad) "comedies". This movie is a hauntingly beautiful tragic story which has some scenes that I would compare to "happiness". A movie that I love but is so disturbing for its realistic and never talked about content (that's really inspiring!). And that's the same journey that this film takes you through. Every character is so desperate for some kind of connection with their surrounding characters and does not achieve their goals! Awesome. Because that is what's real. A lot of filmmakers are not this bold and I tip my hat to the director. I encourage everyone to, if this ever comes out, GO SEE IT!

When I first popped this is my DVD player I have to say I wasn't expecting all that much, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. Of course like any movie it has it's flaws but there was a point about a third of the way through when it got really good. The acting is also well done for an "indie" (especially the young girl and James Russo). And the cinematography is especially outstanding. Of course, the locations seem limited because it's an indie flick, but I found that to not take away from the story too much, especially since it's shot so beautifully and a lot of it out in nature in the beautiful woods. I give this movie a solid 7 out of 10.

A solid little suspenser that could have degenerated into either a basic cable erotic thriller or cheap slasher pic takes a more mature high road. Henry (the film's writer, John Muscarnero) and Susan (Tracy Coogan) retreat to an isolated cabin in the woods. Susan is suffering from terminal cancer, and the couple decide to fight the disease alone- or spend Susan's final days together. The first night in the cabin a strange man (Mark Shady) scares the pair, and fondles Susan before getting away. Sheriff Demming (James Russo) is called, but he can't, or won't?, do anything. No physical evidence, no harm, no foul, plus the strange man is a local named Rand who has never given anyone any trouble before. The incident still bothers the couple, and Susan's health begins to fade, along with her memory. On a jog, Henry finds Rand attacking a young teenage girl (Mary Kate Wiles). Henry scares him off, and takes the girl home, only to find Susan has slipped into a coma. The sheriff guilts Henry into letting the girl, Alicia, stay at the cabin. Susan lies in bed, oblivious to her surroundings. Alicia's mood indicates she has been abused before. She begins manipulating Henry, who is just trying to take care of his dying wife and now must nurse Alicia back as well. Alicia begins wearing out her welcome, Henry has sexual feelings for her, but his loyalty and love for his wife keep him from giving in to his impulses until one night when Susan wakes up, acting unlike herself.

Despite the small cast and setting, "Dark Woods" is one edgy ride. This could have gone into such familiar territory, but instead keeps the audience intrigued with its characters and plot. Some of the motives of those characters are questionable, as are a number of loose ends and plot holes here and there. I found a few scenes repetitious: Henry always seems to be leaving the cabin to go find -insert troubled female's name, or mysterious noise, here- in the woods, but there is plenty to appreciate. Despite its description as a thriller, the emphasis here is not on cheap scares. However, director Michael Escobedo had me jumping out of my skin when Rand first appeared onscreen, and eventually the cabin itself became a creepy setting that always has the viewer ill at ease. There are beautiful shots of the surrounding forest, but Escobedo (who also edited) never turns this into a cinematographer's resume reel. The sparse musical score by S. Peace Nistades is perfect, not feeling the need to accentuate too much. The film is quiet, so when something menacing does occur, the loudness is as startling as the situation, especially Alicia's outbursts. The cast is sensational. Muscarnero has written himself a complex set of people here. His Henry is sympathetic without being lecherous, and his sexual desires are not perverse in the slightest. Tracy Coogan spends a good deal of screen time in a vegetative state, but her waking scenes are excellent, especially when Susan comes out of her coma. There is one scene between Susan and Henry in the bedroom, when an erratic Susan finally consents to sex, but Henry cannot go through with it, that is very uncomfortable to watch. Mary Kate Wiles is creepy as the explosive Alicia without turning her into a clone of every other wronged psycho one-night stand. James Russo, best known for his role in "Extremities," is aging very nicely. He is gruff here, and also rubs the viewer the wrong way, making you wonder what is going on in that mind of his, despite his limited screen time. No, it's not perfect, but I would compare "Dark Woods" favorably to all those suspense films coming from Asia, sprinkled with a little "Fatal Attraction" and "Lolita." It's not a loud boisterous horror flick, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work, either.

This movie is also known as 'Dark Woods' which is a terrible, unforgettable title. The film itself is certainly watchable and enjoyable, though the themes of terminal cancer and a crazy teenager, don't at first appeal. The story actually works very well and has a brooding atmosphere throughout. There is a spartan appearance by James Russo (playing a local sheriff), which adds to the quality of the whole production. Worth seeking this one out.