With a predictable ending and acting that deteriorates as the movie progresses, the potential The Haunted Forest possesses withers on the vine.
The Haunted Forest begins with a promising horror story of a Halloween haunt that turns deadly. Some of the performances work while others scream no skill, especially as the film continues. However, it starts with tension and an interesting comic horror panel that it revisits. Still, before long, the majority of what occurs onscreen has diminishing returns. With a predictable ending and acting that deteriorates as the movie progresses, the potential The Haunted Forest possesses withers on the vine.
Keith Boynton (The Winter House, The Scottish Play) writes and directs the movie. It’s about a senior in private school, Zach, performed by Grayson Gwaze (Amoriental). He has an obsession for the macabre. So, he begins working at a haunted attraction. When a tragic death occurs, he begins to question his morbid obsessions. Despite the promising start, the performances, even the scenes meant to evoke an emotion, lack believability.
The Haunted Forest Starts Strong
The movie wonderfully executes an urban legend opening. It makes one question if the film lacks any originality, only to transition the final image of a girl screaming to a drawing in a notebook. Kudos to the visual switch. The buildup is effective. The introduction, in particular, stands out as it shows Zach’s interests through his comic panels. In case audiences weren’t sure about his obsession, they make it even more apparent with his goth transformation in the school bathroom after the bell rings, signaling the end of the school day. Still, teens are typically not known for their subtlety anyway.
At the haunted forest, Zach chats with the owner, his cousin, Mark, played by Cedric Gegel (Strangers of My Imagination, Friendly Distractions). After introducing him to Jacko, played by writer/director Keith Boynton, who shows Zach the ropes, the only other notable coworker is Sarah, played by Kaitlyn Lunardi (The Christmas Ticket, The North Witch), a potential love interest. Throughout the initial start of Zach’s employment, the movie builds camaraderie among the employees. It also shows Zach’s connection. The Haunted Forest, in this regard, works well. The cast here does decent work creating the friendly atmosphere. There is even a comedic “pay your dues” horror that adds to that sense of community.
White Guilt Is a Terror
It’s nice to see how white guilt plays in a horror setting. The problem is that the execution feels unintentionally comedic. However, that combines with the major issue the back half of the film has; it’s easy to identify the villain. So, there are no surprises for the audience. The Haunted Forest starts well but finishes as a disappointment.
Acting Devolves in Pace With the Rest
The performances at the beginning of the movie feel believable. However, it feels as though the film’s lackluster end takes the wind out of the cast’s sails. The acting gets worse as the film pushes on. By the end, the performances do not feel genuine, as though each castmate struggles to understand the film overall and their character’s motivations.
The Haunted Forest loses steam early on, dragging with lackluster performances and a reveal that lacks shock. The deaths are somewhat interesting but not overly eye-catching or shocking. So, they, like the movie, evaporate from the memory like mist. The Haunted Forest loses its way in a forest of poorly executed good ideas.
