The Forest (2016) 

Rating: ★★★☆☆

When it comes to horror films set in eerie, haunted locations, The Forest offers a chilling premise but ultimately falls short in delivering a truly terrifying experience. The movie takes place in the Aokigahara Forest, famously known as the “Suicide Forest” in Japan, a place shrouded in mystery and darkness. The plot follows a woman, Sara, who ventures into the forest to search for her twin sister, Jess, who mysteriously disappeared there.

While the setting is ripe for spine-chilling horror, the film struggles to maintain consistent tension. The visuals of the forest are atmospheric, evoking a sense of isolation and unease, but the jump scares often feel predictable. The exploration of Sara’s personal struggles adds some depth to her character, but the emotional stakes never fully connect with the audience, leaving the horror to rely more on conventional scares rather than psychological tension.

The performances are decent, with Natalie Dormer as Sara offering a commendable portrayal, but the overall storyline feels more generic than expected for a film that promises to delve into such a unique and unsettling setting. The supernatural elements, while initially intriguing, aren’t enough to elevate the film from being a standard horror-thriller.

In summary, The Forest has its moments of suspense and delivers some eerie visuals, but its predictable scares and underdeveloped plot leave much to be desired. For fans of supernatural horror, it’s worth a watch, but don’t expect it to be a standout in the genre.