As a die-hard horror fan who grew up watching classics like Ringu and The Evil Dead, I must say that The Cabin in the Woods is a masterpiece that brilliantly encapsulates my love-hate relationship with the genre. It’s like Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon took a peek into my mind, found all the references I hold dear, and crafted a film that both pays homage to these timeless tales of terror and satirically pokes fun at their overused tropes.
Drew Goddard’s 2012 horror-comedy masterpiece, The Cabin in the Woods, is filled with nods and hidden gems to some of the finest horror content available. Debuting during a period when the horror genre seemed to be losing steam, with its peak years seemingly in the past, The Cabin in the Woods was designed to breathe new life into the genre. To many, they achieved their goal, crafting a horror movie that stood out from its predecessors.
The movie titled “The Cabin in the Woods” revolves around a group of college friends enjoying a getaway at a secluded cabin, you’ve probably guessed it, nestled deep within the woods. However, these seemingly peaceful surroundings hide a sinister secret: a multitude of monsters stalk and terrorize the students. This is orchestrated by technicians who are manipulating the events from a covert, subterranean complex. The film serves as both a satirical commentary on certain aspects of the horror genre while also acknowledging and celebrating its legacy. It references an array of sources, ranging from Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” to lesser-known gems like “Eight Legged Freaks“, as well as common horror clichés.
This innovative take on horror might have been daring, yet it proved successful. Significantly, it garnered high acclaim, amassing a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, commended for its inventive and novel approach. Known as The Cabin in the Woods, this film bagged numerous accolades. Among them, three were for its exceptional screenplay, while others recognized its remarkable make-up and acting performances. The Cabin in the Woods swiftly ascended to modern classic status, with each re-watch revealing additional nods to beloved horror series.
The Cabin in the Woods Pokes Fun at Horror While Taking Itself Seriously
“The movie ‘Cabin in the Woods’ skillfully combines many horror film references without being overwhelmed by them, offering a distinctive viewing experience. Unlike films like ‘Scary Movie,’ which primarily make fun of other horror movies, ‘Cabin in the Woods’ demonstrates its intent to be a serious film through a well-structured storyline. While ‘Scary Movie’ relies heavily on parody when referencing other films, ‘Cabin in the Woods’ does so more subtly, preserving its own identity while acknowledging and appreciating the horror genre’s history.
Another reason why the film works so well is simply that it is entertaining. It is able to take inspiration from horror in a thought-provoking way. Taking one of the more glaring examples many would notice early on, the students all represent the stereotypical horror victims, and their use in the film offers a critical, but nevertheless entertaining, insight into horror tropes. We are introduced to “The Virgin”, “The Athlete”, “The Whore”, “The Fool”, and “The Scholar,” and with this, audiences almost instinctively know their fates, assuming “The Virgin” will end up fulfilling the final girl role.
The screenplay aims to satirize overused cliches within the genre that have made it dull, like characters dying off-screen when they split up or when the group separates. By subverting these conventions, viewers can appreciate Cabin in the Woods as a fresh take on horror, one that yearns for a new beginning and a genre overhaul.
Obvious Franchises Parodied By The Cabin in the Woods
The likeness between “The Cabin in the Woods” and “The Evil Dead” is so striking that one might consider them cousins. The most apparent similarity lies in the cabin itself, which bears a striking resemblance to the one featured in “The Evil Dead”, right down to the unfortunate souls meeting their demise within it. Not only do their storylines share a strong similarity, but both groups of characters discover an ancient book in the basement that serves to resurrect the dead, much like what takes place in “The Cabin in the Woods”. Horror enthusiasts laud classics such as “The Evil Dead”, and “The Cabin in the Woods” further bolsters this admiration while simultaneously offering a critique of how easily other horror films rely on these tropes.
As a cinephile delving deeper into the spiritual realms of “The Cabin in the Woods,” I’ve observed that some intriguing references to the Ringu franchise have been woven into the narrative. The Ringu films are renowned for their exploration of the vengeful spirit, Sadako Yamamura, who haunts through a cursed videotape, claiming the lives of anyone who unwittingly watches it. This chilling concept was instrumental in shaping the genre of spiritual horror movies, and it’s subtly parodied in the film by Marty’s fixation on the hypnotic movie hidden in the basement of the cabin. To some viewers, this aspect of the film serves as a satirical commentary on the implausibility of some horror narratives, as most people would avoid a suspicious VHS tape at all costs. However, it can also be seen as a tribute to an exceptional franchise.
Viewers catch a fleeting peek at various glass enclosures housing other formidable horror entities. These terrors range from the gelatinous creature in The Blob, an enormous spider, the chilling twins from The Shining, and even zombies reminiscent of those found in the Left 4 Dead video game series. Regrettably, most of these horror references are compressed into a brief scene, making them challenging to discern, even when you pause the movie for closer inspection. In essence, this suggests that much of the horror during this era appears to be content with recycling worn-out tropes for easy amusement, much like the technicians who casually activated a switch to satisfy the “Ancient Ones.
Horror References on the Whiteboard
One memorable scene in the movie “The Cabin in the Woods” features a humorous whiteboard where it seems the staff at the facility are placing wagers on the type of monsters to be released. The board encompasses a wide array of references, from general categories such as werewolves, witches, and clowns, to specific ones like the “Angry Molesting Tree” from The Evil Dead. This board serves a dual purpose: it adds humor, aligning with the film’s dark comedy, while also acknowledging the vast pool of terrifying creatures that horror writers often resort to when choosing the antagonist for their latest work. In essence, the movie playfully critiques the lack of originality in modern horror by making fun of its own reliance on familiar horror tropes.
Similarly, when humorously depicting monstrous scenarios, these spoofs significantly elevate the experience, addressing the excessive use of horror that has sadly watered down the initial fear that made the genre exceptional. Often, a single film will introduce an intriguing concept, only for subsequent films to exploit its success and ultimately destroy it. This issue isn’t exclusive to horror; it’s prevalent in science fiction and thrillers as well, but it seems particularly problematic in this genre. Notably, The Cabin in the Woods satirizes horror by acknowledging its past while also advocating for a revitalization of the genre. Some argue that The Cabin in the Woods did bring about change within the genre, but others contend that it didn’t completely overhaul it, as it continues to spawn unoriginal imitations.
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2024-09-21 22:31