‘A Game in the Woods’ Review
Stars: Eleanor Newman, Jameson Pitts, Emily Skeen, John P. Crowley, Grace Robbins, Doug Field, Gary Kent, Kevin Corn, J.J. Weber | Written by Mike McCutchen, Drew Thomas | Directed by Mike McCutchen
“…I have a fucking hole in my fucking shoulder.”
A family trip to grandpa’s ranch in Texas sounds wholesome, right? Wrong. Grandpa is dead and so are any loving childhood memories of the ranch. In A Game in the Woods, a happy past is gone out of the window in favour of a tormentful present, with the potential future as a
dismembered corpse. But at least the film opens with a series of gorgeous landscape shots as a background to introduce the opening titles.
Ash (Eleanor Newman) is heading out to the ranch of her late grandfather, along with her annoying cousin, Ted (Jameson Pitts), and semi-reluctant girlfriend, Sam (Emily Skeen). A social media queen/influencer by trade, Ash has a wild occasion setup with a case of wine ready and waiting in the trunk. However, the only party games taking place at the ranch are ones featuring blood, guts, crossbows, and frequent dismemberment.
Now used as a hunting ground for rich perverts wanting to hunt and kill abductees, Ash finds herself as the star of something brutal and grotesque under the whim of The Game Warden (John P. Crowley), whose previous friendship with her grandfather has enabled him to utilise the land in the sadistic pursuit of blood and guts.
In terms of the story, A Game in the Woods boasts recognisable occurrences. My favourites were the neck brace explosives, reminiscent of The Running Man, and the bounty hunter element from Hard Target. Where this film truly succeeds is in its cinematic presentation of
horror and its unbelievable commitment to both practical effects and props.
In combining a documentary-style cinematography and frequently exaggerated effects and props, A Game in the Woods solidifies its status as a well-executed horror-comedy. Not only are the practical effects and props a treat to horror fanatics, but the application of such vulgarity has a great impact and effect on the viewer, and the film overall. A disturbing example involves the usage of a decapitated person.
Quite easily one of the best low-budget horrors of recent times. Running at around the 80-something minute mark, A Game in the Woods has that old school feel, but given the entertainment value presented, we want more. An excellent mix of comedy and horror, this is a film that succeeds in not taking itself seriously at all, knows exactly what it is, and completely thrives with it.
**** 4/5
A Game in the Woods has been picked up for distribution by Jinga Films, who debuted the film earlier this year at the Romford Horror Film Festival.
