The Woods (2024) Summary and Review - Friendship and Fear in the Forest

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The Woods is a psychological thriller from first-time director, Sarah Lyons. It follows four friends - Kate, Amy, Sam, and Lucas - who, having just graduated from college, decide to commemorate their friendship by recreating a childhood camping trip. But what begins as a nostalgic reunion soon takes a darker turn.

The Only Survivor

Fast-forward several years and the film opens with Kate (the only one of the four who makes it back) recounting her version of events on a true crime podcast. Kate’s desire to set the record straight after a traumatic experience drives the story forward, challenged by sceptical questioning from the podcast host, and we sense she may be an unreliable narrator.

The group’s journey starts brightly enough, but it’s clear early on that the trip is a passion project of Kate's rather than the joint venture that she insists it is during the interview. At a motel stop on the first night, the eerie tone is set when Amy is found sleepwalking and caught in the midst of a vivid dream about the woods. It's odd, but as her friends know she’s sleepwalked before, it doesn't cause undue alarm.

There's Something About Amy

As they continue their hike, we learn more about the group’s dynamics, particularly their concerns about Amy. She’s clearly struggling with the idea of graduation and the changes it brings. With a difficult past and no clear plans for the future, she seems unsure of her place in the world once the group splits up, clinging to the past in an effort to delay the inevitable.

Amy also seems to have a strong connection to the woods. She remembers trails that the others have long forgotten and navigates the route without any help from a map. In one scene, Kate witnesses a strange incident where Amy's connection to the woods manifests itself in a disturbing way, adding to the growing sense of unease. From there, the mood grows tense and conversations become awkward, until a horrifying and unexpected event leaves the group reeling with shock and fighting for survival.

Thought-Provoking Themes

The Woods has thought-provoking themes - friendship, memory, trauma and our primeval, but often unrecognised, connection to the land - but struggles to balance thoughtful introspection with thrilling tension. Added to this, there are undeveloped themes and motivations. For instance, Lyons hints at something otherworldly in Amy’s "weird" behaviour, but this isn't fully explored and initially, Amy's behaviour seems more like misunderstood quirky character traits rather than anything to fear.

The narrative often meanders, more focused on the interpersonal dynamics than delivering real scares. And while there's potential in the bones of the story, the execution leans more into reflective dialogue and not enough into the horror potential of the isolated environment that could have made it more chilling.

That said, the film has its strengths. The cinematography is a highlight: well-composed shots and creative use of lighting, particularly in night scenes, lend a polished look despite the film’s micro-budget. The score is another standout, blending instrumental and tonal shifts that augment the mood. One smartly edited sequence in particular hints at what the film could have been if it had aligned itself more with suspense.

An Uneven Shift

The acting, initially rather flat, noticeably improves as the tension escalates. As the stakes rise, the cast delivers more convincing performances, capturing moments of genuine shock and fear. This shift feels a little uneven, suggesting directorial inconsistency in managing tone and pacing.

There's possibly a twist at the end - though it’s left vague enough that you might miss it or question its inclusion. Ultimately, The Woods doesn't quite deliver the fright it promises, but as a first feature, it shows that Sarah Lyons has a talent worth watching.

If you're interested in emerging filmmakers and enjoy character-driven thrillers more than outright horror, The Woods may be worth your time. Just don’t go in expecting a full-on experience of chills and thrills.

2.5/5

Taylor Harris-Butler as Kate Reed
Samantha Evans as Amy
Troy Tripicchio as Sam
Jakob Martinez Cooper as Lucas
Sean Cole as Mike (the podcast host)
Director: Sarah Lyons
Writer: Sarah Lyons
Release: 2024

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