Into the Forest (2016) #Review #Movies #Apocalypse #Drama #IndieFlicks #BasedonaBook

Movie Review

I had no idea what to expect when I started watching this flick!

Having not read the book, I really didn’t know what it was about. I thought it would be your typical chaos-driven apocalypse movie which I love, but it was very different.

Into the Forest (Release Date: July 2016)

After a massive power outage, two sisters learn to survive on their own in their isolated woodland home.

Starring: Ellen Page, Evan Rachel Wood, Max Minghella, and Callum Keith Rennie

Director: Patricia Rozema

Rating/ Runtime: R- 1hr 41

*Based on the novel by Jean Hegland

My Thoughts…

It is worth mentioning that this film won and was nominated for several awards and yet it did not do well during its mainstream theatrical release. Granted it was a little slow, but I thought it also had a lot of merit.

Firstly, it was a really nice change to see Page step out of her usual quirky roles and into something a little heavier.

Secondly, I LOVE Callum Keith Rennie! Ever since I first saw him in Hardcore Logo, which is a brilliant film also starring Hugh Dillon (super talented frontman of The Headstones) and has an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. soundtrack! In another life, I used to manage a studio and I have met both these men. Not only are they talented actors, they are real gentlemen in a crazy industry. But as usual, I have drifted off my main point which is that Rennie is wonderful in this movie and I wish his role was larger. But this story is about two sisters, and their relationship under extreme distress.

This is a character-driven film with very little ‘action’. Yes, there is a major power-outage that has driven civilization back into the Dark Ages, but truly this is about Nell and Eva. How they learn to survive and what they learn about each other.

If you can appreciate that, then I think you will find this movie worth watching. Otherwise, like the vast majority, you will probably find it a little boring. Both women do an admirable job and the storyline is interesting enough. Because I haven’t read the book, I can’t make a comparison but I do think that the book is probably much better, what with being able to describe nuances and actions in further detail.

I feel like I have to give this movie two ratings. One for artistic merit and one for entertainment value.