Now THIS is a horror film!

Rating: Null/10 (2 August 1999)

After the barrage of awful "Scream" clones that Hollywood has been force-feeding the public for the past several years, two unknown filmmakers have brought us a film that should show people what makes a truly effective horror film.
The acting from the three stars was in fine form and the ad-libbed dialogue was really impressive. It was totally convincing and never seemed fake or contrieved. It was interesting and rather unnerving seeing the them start out as cocky and full of gusto (especially Heather) and go on a slow, gradual emotional and psychological decline. How they gradually started getting more ditraught about their predicament and started turning on each other. Their "discoveries" in the woods and the sounds in the distance was creepy for the audience as well as the characters.
I was rather impressed at how they didn't use background music to cue the audience in on when to feel unnerved. The movie relied solely on the environment and the reactions of the characters to set the mood. I used to think that a movie with no music would never work but it looks like I was wrong.
The last ten minutes of the movie were especially creepy. I could actually feel my heart racing. And the ending blew me, and the rest of the audience, away.
It's nice to finally see someone make a horror movie the way it should be done. No cheap "jump" shots. No young, photogenic stars from the WB network. No hit alternative rock soundtrack. Just good old fashioned mood and atmosphere. Recommended.