The Forest (2016)
Horror, Mystery, Supernatural

Set in the eerie, haunted depths of Japan’s infamous Aokigahara Forest, also known as the “Suicide Forest,” The Forest is a psychological horror film that delves into themes of grief, loss, and the lingering effects of trauma. With its chilling setting and disturbing premise, the film attempts to weave a story of supernatural terror into the raw, emotional experience of a woman searching for her twin sister.

Plot and Themes
The story follows Sara Price (Natalie Dormer), a young woman who travels to Aokigahara in search of her missing twin sister, Jess, who is believed to have disappeared into the forest. Aokigahara is infamous for being a place where people go to end their lives, and it’s steeped in a dark history that only deepens Sara’s sense of dread as she ventures into the woods.

The forest itself is portrayed as a malevolent, almost sentient entity, filled with spirits and supernatural forces that manipulate the minds of those who enter. As Sara searches for her sister, she begins to confront her own personal demons and feelings of guilt, with the line between reality and illusion becoming increasingly blurred. The haunting presence of the forest plays on the trauma that both Sara and Jess have faced in their lives, turning the journey into one of self-discovery as much as a literal search for Sara’s sibling.

Visuals and Atmosphere
The Aokigahara Forest, with its dense trees, twisted roots, and haunting silence, is a perfect setting for the film’s supernatural horror. The film captures the forest’s eerie beauty, using the dense foliage and foreboding landscape to create a sense of isolation and claustrophobia. The forest is as much a character as the humans within it, and its portrayal is one of the film’s most effective elements.

While the film makes good use of its atmospheric setting, the horror elements often feel forced. The jumpscares, while occasionally effective, rely too heavily on conventional horror tropes. The supernatural manifestations, such as the apparitions that haunt Sara, sometimes seem to fall into the realm of cheap thrills rather than contributing to a deeper sense of unease.

Performances and Direction
Natalie Dormer, known for her role in Game of Thrones, delivers a strong, emotionally charged performance as Sara. Her portrayal of a grieving sister struggling with guilt is compelling, and she anchors the film’s emotional core. Her dual role as both Sara and Jess (through flashbacks) adds a layer of complexity to her character, highlighting the bond between the sisters, even in their separation.

The supporting cast, including Taylor Kinney as Aiden, an American journalist who becomes Sara’s companion in the forest, provides some grounding for the emotional stakes, but their roles often feel secondary to the film’s primary focus on Sara’s journey. The film’s direction, by Jason Zada, is competent but often leans too heavily on suspenseful music and atmosphere rather than building a truly unsettling psychological tension.

Soundtrack and Sound Design
The soundtrack and sound design play a significant role in The Forest‘s tension-building. The ambient noises of the forest—creaking trees, whispering winds, and distant calls—help to craft an unsettling atmosphere. The soundtrack, while effective in creating suspense, at times feels overly dramatic and forces the emotions of the scene, detracting from the more subtle horrors of the environment.

Final Thoughts
While The Forest has a strong atmospheric foundation and offers a chilling glimpse into the supernatural legends surrounding Aokigahara, it ultimately falls short of being a truly terrifying experience. The film’s reliance on jump scares and conventional horror elements detracts from its potential to explore the deeper psychological aspects of grief and mental illness. Despite the eerie setting and Natalie Dormer’s compelling performance, the film doesn’t fully capitalize on the emotional depth it could have achieved.

In the end, The Forest is an average supernatural horror film that may entertain fans of the genre but lacks the haunting, lingering quality of the truly great psychological horror films. It’s a decent watch for those who enjoy supernatural thrillers with a touch of mystery, but it doesn’t offer much beyond the initial scares.

Verdict
The Forest is an atmospheric horror film that benefits from a unique and unsettling setting, but it doesn’t quite deliver on the psychological tension that its premise suggests. While the forest’s sinister presence is captivating, the film struggles to maintain a truly haunting grip, relying too much on familiar horror tropes.