Film Review: #PamperAndShriek with The Forest

Pamper and Shriek night with The Forest
Happy Friday everyone! The world may be going to ruin but films sure do make life better. And so, to celebrate to launch of mystery horror, The Forest (Jason Zada, 2016), being released on DVD this week, I was kindly sent a copy along with some beauty goodies to pamper myself with. Here's a little look...

Popcorn and pampering
Nothing beats a cosy night in with a scary film. You have a bath or shower, grab your blanket and tasty treats and hope to be scared half to death by your screen. And so, what better way to enjoy a latest release then with some beauty treats? As part of my amazing pamper kit was a selection of Soap & Glory gems which included their amazing hand cream (Soap & Glory Hand Food*) which I use religiously, Flake Away Body Scrub, Righteous Body Butter*, Clean On Me Body Wash* and topped off with The Original Pink Body Spray* and a cleansing face pack. So having made myself all fresh, clean and tingly, it was time to grab some popcorn and enjoy a fright flick...

(Image source)
Similar to Gus Van Sant's Sea Of Trees (2015) setting and inspired by the disturbing real-life stories of suicides in the Aokigahara forest, The Forest follows Sara Price (Natalie Dormer of Game of Thrones) as she enters into the woods of Japan in search of her missing twin sister.

Essentially, the film is a walking tour of her journey as Sara desperately tries to track down her sister's movements. On her arrival to Japan, Sara meets a seemingly shady journalist (Taylor Kinney) who offers to accompany her on a guided tour of the forest alongside a ranger. Taking inspiration, or perhaps just plan imitating classic horror tropes from the likes of the Blair Witch, Evil Dead-style cabins in the woods, and possibly even The Descent, they are for sure some rather creepy and unsettling moments - though with little originality. The over-use of jump scares and 'things that go bump in the tent' mean that all tension is gradually lost as the director, Jason Zada, cries wolf just one too many times. However, planted in the viewers mind is a constant suggestion that this could all be in Sara's psyche; causing us to constantly doubt whether what is happening is real or hallucination. To this, The Forest owes the majority of its successes.

With regards to acting, both lead-and-supporting roles, Dormer proves herself to be a good twin who clearly her own demons whilst also searching for her missing sister. Despite her Game of Thrones fame, Dormer is able to present a fresh character through a believable performance as Sara, whilst Kinney offers an acceptable (though not particularly memorable) performance as Aiden. Overall, though rather cliched in parts and, unfortunately, nothing original, The Forest makes for easy viewing horror for those who fancy a scare but without having to think too much in to it. Personally, I enjoyed the plot narrative and would recommend it to all you horror fans out there. Perhaps set to be a cult classic, The Forest gets a Sophie star rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, perhaps set to be a cult classic, it is out now on DVD, Bluray and Digital Download.

That's it for another film review! Thank you so much to the creators of The Forest for an amazing evening of pampering and film - there's really nothing more that I enjoy than that. How do you like to watch horror films? Have you seen The Forest yet? As always, I love reading your comments so please do leave me lots of lovely ones below.

Until next time film fans, have an awesome weekend





*Disclaimer: All items in this post were provided to me for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own and do not reflect those of the brand.
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13 comments

  1. I love settling down with a good film too! One of my fave things to do!

    poppyrkay.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Me too - honestly my favourite way to spend an evening x

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  2. The story about the real life suicides at Aokigahara sounds creepy and I like Natalie Dormer so I'll check this out, probably from a Redbox kiosk. If current events are leading the world to ruin, watching some good films is a good way to go. I hope you're having a nice weekend, Sophie :) I watched Central Intelligence which was worth a few laughs.

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    1. Yeah I think that's what makes this so eerie. I read up on it and it's so interesting and they have people employed just to go in and find dead bodies every week (IRL). Thanks Gil, it's been a bit of a weird one actually. With the whole leaving of the EU looming, the country is in uproar. Aw really? Jack really likes the look of it. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart is probably a great combo

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    1. Yeah it's good cos its not super scary but it's easy viewing if you happen to like the odd horror too :) Hope you like it! x

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  4. probably not a film id choose to watch myself but the pampering bit I'm loving. You cant go wrong with a bit of S&G :)
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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    1. Haha no, it's def not for someone who doesn't like horror. You never know though! Ha totally, nothing better than feeling all tingly and chilling with a film :) xx

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  5. This looks great Sophie, I love your photos. I think this is available here in the US so I'll definitely give it a watch. Sometimes I enjoy a horror that's not actually very scary lol I find them relaxing. Thank you for your recommendation. I hope you are having a great week so far xx

    Ashley
    http://www.imamovienerd.wordpress.com

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    1. Aw thank you :) I totally agree, sometimes there's nothing wrong with a bit of easy-going horror. Have a lovely week Ashley :) xx

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