Is “The Forest” a worthy addition to J-Pop horror? Well…yes and no…
What Works: Having a horror movie set in the loony world of Japanese suicide culture is a strong idea, and the second half of the film that actually takes place in the infamous suicide forest works really well. Plus, Natalie Dormer makes a smooth transition from TV supporting character (Game of Thrones, Tudors) to big-screen leading lady, and Taylor Kinney is better here than anything else I’ve seen him in.
Plus, the movie is a builder, which is good for a horror film. The further they descend into that forest, the more effective the movie becomes, and there’s just something undeniably primal about mysterious fingers on the outside of a tent or a body floating down a babbling stream.
What Doesn’t: The movie has received almost universally negative reviews, and I have to wonder why that is. Critics seem to be a bit too harsh on it. The movie is nothing special, and the first half is a little slow, but if you’re a fan of higher-end, more sophisticated horror, then this is as good as you can hope for in the foreseeable future.
What I Would Have Done Differently: I would say there are parts in the first half you could cut out, but the film is barely 90 minutes long, and I’m not sure you really could cut much more.
Good movie, but it’s not scary.