The Devil's Woods (2015) User Reviews

Dreadful Irish horror

[Leofwine_draca · 2/10 · 13 June 2016]

THE DEVIL'S WOODS is a zero budget Irish horror film that might as well have been shot on home video because that's how cheap it looks. This certainly isn't a professional production as the standard of the script, acting, and camera-work are all below par. This is one of those films that you end up sitting through in the hope of something good happening, only to be frustrated by the time you get to the climax and realise it won't.

Things begin on a gory note with a murder in the woods before the film moves on to your typical group of drug-taking youths who decide to holiday in the countryside. I still don't understand they they constantly make these modern-day horror film characters so unlikeable; at least some of the characters in those 1980s slashers were fun, goofy, or friendly.

What transpires is plenty of shaky camera-work as characters run around and are menaced, along with endless padding such as scenes of the characters driving around in their car and the like. It's all rather pointless, and the dragged-out ending doesn't help. It's amazing that a film like THE DEVIL'S WOODS can play out without summoning up a single second of suspense. Perhaps they should have gone down the found footage route as that might have made it a bit more realistic.

Needs much help

[africe · 2/10 · 27 September 2019]

Okay, I know I am very critical of horror movies but I do love them. I just hate when they try to get "artsy" or use intense music as an aid. I don't mind the intense music if its used correctly. This film uses intense music that leads to nothing. And what's with the color filters? Really? Takes me back to when vhs first came out and I saw a brooke shields horror movie that used red flashing tones to warn you of a scary moment lol. This movie had great promise but I couldn't even finish it. The music was too annoying and the color flashing irritating.

Judge this book by its cover. It's EXACTLY what you think it's going to be ...

[kpsmith-37624 · 5/10 · 26 February 2016]

I am a fan of the horror genre which has it's fair share of B-grade or non mainstream movies. When I saw the movie poster for this film and read the description I was able to make some determinations about the movie prior to watching it. When I learned it didn't have a theatrical release and instead went straight to Amazon Prime streaming, without a rating, it cemented those thoughts.

I was encouraged at the beginning of the movie because it opens to a shot of someone cutting up some lines of white powdery substance next to a Captain Spaulding (from Rob Zombie movies) bobble head. I thought maybe I judged too early. Nope, This movie is exactly what you think. Less than great acting, to less than great writing, to a less than great plot. It all comes together for a less than great movie.

Predictable jump scenes coupled with predictable plot points made this a movie that I'll likely not watch again.

5 Stars

My mom's alright the way she is

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 28 November 2017]

Four young adults camp out near some ruins that have a legend about a Hell Fire club that would abduct and kill women...like we saw in an earlier scene. Yes, it even included the affair two of the people had that didn't amount to anything plot wise. It seems it was added as an obligatory plot formula point.

On the plus side, it was all Irishmen getting killed. Danielle Keaney was hot in those tight pants. The dialogue was clever and who doesn't love Captain Spaulding? On the negative side, the story had been done and this one didn't go anywhere. Nothing didn't tie into anything. And there wasn't a Devil in the film, although they did use a red filter a few times.

Yoke is Irish drug slang for ecstasy.

Guide: F-word. sex. rape? No nudity.

Violent Rape From the Start!

[icocleric · 1/10 · 15 June 2022]

I normally love Irish horror films, because normally for what they lack in budget they often make up for with good story. But this film was so awful that I couldn't finish it.

There's a rape scene from the word go. Which honestly frustrates me unless it actually adds to the story, and isn't just there because. The music is annoying, and one of the bigger factors to why I couldn't finish it. As we as the characters being really unlikeable.

The overall quality is really low, I'm sure teenagers with phones could probably do better. I honestly hated it, and didn't think it had anything redeeming, which honestly is a shame because the synopsis sounded interesting.

Mysterious, Old School Styled Horror Film.

[haggyhoulihan · 9/10 · 16 October 2020]

Anthony White's "The Devil's Woods" is evidence of a filmmaker who really loves the horror genre and is not just making a horror film as a cash grab. This is an Irish film which is refreshing to see as there's a lack of films of this nature made in this country.

It's a fun horror film that doesn't take it's itself too seriously and even though it does follow the cliche of young couples going on a road trip and camping in the woods the film really is inventive and creative in moments that really matter.

This film is not a typical slasher and is a slow burner but the main characters really make the run time enjoyable and you care for their characters as they all have strong personalities and make you care about their fate.

The film has obvious homages to Deliverance, Texas Chainsaw, Massacre, Wickerman, George Romero and Dario Argento films however it's done in a way that embraces Anthony White's love for the horror genre in crafting this film. It doesn't shy away from letting the audience see his influences as a filmmaker. However there's plenty of originality in there that separates it from the average slasher film.

The locations are great and refreshing for anyone international who's interested by the Irish landscape as there is a lot of folkloric buildings and distinct rural Ireland countryside. There is a lot of inventive camera movements and excellent cinematography here too.

The soundtrack and score for this film is excellent and really is a throwback to old school horror films of the 70's & 80's. There's always a constant sense of the supernatural present in this film even with the slasher body count the film does have some intriguing unanswered questions and really leaves you wondering what's all responsible and behind the evil that's lurking in the woods.

A lot of questions are answered by the films conclusion and it really pays off and gives the film justice for people who may not like slow burn horror films and are expecting a kill every 10 minutes. The ambiguity of the town and wooded area is more satisfying than having everything spelled out. The ending and final act really threw me off guard and explains the opening scene and events that took place. It was really clever and loved the whole secret society occult direction that the film shifted in.

There's really a hammer horror vibe to this with Texas chainsaw blended together. It goes to show with enough imagination even films with a lower budget can really have the same effect on the audience that a blockbuster horror can and this is evident on screen. When a filmmaker like Anthony White has a clear vision and creativity it shines through and avoids films that are completely cliche with nothing new to offer the genre. The Devil's Woods is definitely something more fresh and ambitious than countless other films you see on the Horror Channel etc from other independent filmmakers. One to watch for any horror fan looking for the classic old school approach that is fun viewing and also some intelligent ideas thrown in.

Home spun indie horror that makes perfect Hallowe'en fare

[donalnugent · 7/10 · 21 September 2017]

Horror may be back with a bang at the box office but the true aficionado knows the real thrills come down the dark byroads of indie cinema. The Devil's Woods definitely fits in the latter category. Opening with a quote on witchcraft courtesy of Emily Dickinson, the setting isn't rural 19th century America but the 21st century Irish countryside. In the hands of directory Anthony White it's a place of equally brooding Gothic menace. This is no slow building drama - we're set us up quickly and shockingly for what lies ahead.

The drama revolves around two couples setting out from Dublin for a music festival deep in the country (which, let's face it, for most Dubliners means anywhere beyond Naas). With the impeccable logic of a horror, they ignore all the pretty Tourist Board scenery in favour of some dark and eerie backwoods. Of course, they can't hear the incidental music we hear, but surely even they can tell from the zoned out, unfriendly locals and desolate ruins that it might be worth checking out the Yelp reviews before setting up camp for the night.

A strong cast, led by Stephen Cromwell and the ever-reliable Eoin Quinn, complimented by White's fluid directing style, build the atmosphere nicely, slyly capturing the undercurrents and tensions among couples as they are drawn further and further out of their comfort zones. Some well-tuned comic banter provides light relief from the shocks and well- timed twists.

The Devils' Woods doesn't take itself too seriously, but maybe the critics should. White has achieved impressive results on what was apparently a minuscule budget. This is gutsy, gritty, gonzo filmmaking, driven by a genuine desire to entertain. A strong ending brings all the threads together nicely. Among all the scares of the Devil's Woods, perhaps the biggest is the realisation that there may be nowhere worse to be trapped than in the great wide open.

Great effort from this first time director!!

[davidoconnor-24517 · 9/10 · 10 September 2017]

This filmmaker should be commended for being able to complete a feature length film with barely a budget (imdb has the estimated budget at €800). As far as super low to no budget horror films go this is one of the better ones. The director was able to create a haunting mood throughout the film and the acting was definitely better than other films in its class. There are a handful of well constructed scenes and two scenes in particular (when the girl is being chased by masked townies and when she stabs the killer) really show the director's potential. I enjoyed this director's first effort and I'd be excited to see what he can do with a proper budget!!

Devils woods

[ethanandrews-72364 · 6/10 · 9 September 2017]

Devil's Woods is an Irish indie horror film and director Anthony Whites first feature length film

The film opens with an intense scene, a great jump scare and a brutality that sets the pace for the rest of the film.

Devils woods slows down in its pace and introduces the group of protagonists. The Second of the film is tad slowly paced and tiny bit jarring with the intense opening but it does provide insight to the characters and their relationships and helps the audience care what happens to them.

The end of the film however picks right back up with its intensity and its threatening feeling in the final act. It feels like there is something around every corner ready spring out. It creates an oppressive and truly fear inducing atmosphere.

Over all "Devil's Woods" is good indie horror flick with a lot of Interesting ideas and concepts and great practical effects.

Well done to White.

The Devil's Woods

[marielamasuyama · 8/10 · 1 January 2016]

I thought the film was gripping from the onset, with an intensely brutal opening scene that set the tone for the events to come.

After this initial shock, the film slows down to introduce the characters and the relationships between them. We get to meet and relate to this charismatic group of friends and become invested in their dynamics. A few unexpected events break the relatively lighthearted tone of these scenes as conflict begins to build up.

If there's one thing that "The Devil's Woods" must be commended for is its atmosphere. As the action progresses the films captures an air of ominous tension that progressively intensifies leading up to a series of unpredictably horrifying events.

I would thoroughly recommend "The Devil's Woods".

A Good Mid-range Offering

[silvio-mitsubishi · 7/10 · 13 August 2022]

This fits somewhere between a tantalising taster to raise funds and a finished project. There is too much padding for a full-length feature, but it is too good to be consigned to the graveyard of shorts.

Many of the actors have significant production roles; the two male leads act their socks off in a naturalistic way and also contribute songs to the score. A trivia item says it was filmed in 18 days due to actors' commitments, but they seem pretty busy doing script, stunts, soundtrack etc.

The cast were involved in developing the dialogue and it shows, for better and worse: very natural and realistic conversation is sometimes shattered by over-literal lines, clearly from the scripted element.

Camerawork is the weak spot. Washed-out colours, shaky motion in the action scenes, and unnecessary attempts to build tension by changing the palette to a red rinse. Some editing is suspect too - clips of car exhausts rattling to life only seem to be there to fill time. Short bookending scenes add little to the overall product, particularly the opener, but help stretch the runtime to over an hour.

I saw a film once in which a female actor's bottom got a credit. I wondered a few times if this camera operator was campaigning for a pair of white jeans to be similarly honoured.

No spoiler to say some of our hero's cop it, but the baddies show no consistency. If they have a common purpose it is not clear. It is more interesting when victims die in different ways, but not if we are to believe they die for a reason.

That said, there are very occasional flashes of something better: figures appearing in the background add suspense; there is a scene in a pub that evokes Straw Dogs or American Werewolf; other references include Duelling Banjos and a figure of Captain Spaulding.

This is a film that deserves a remake with some money behind it, but not in the US (please!).

Recommended.

[parry_na · 6/10 · 25 August 2018]

I really enjoyed this low budget independent Irish horror. After a gory establishing scene which packs a good twist in its brief pre-credits time, we get to know the group of four young people (Keith, Jen, Jay, and Katie) taking a trip to a music festival. They're a mischievous bunch - coarse, good humoured and genuinely likeable. Because of this, when they stop in a remote pub and are intimidated by the subtly sinister locals, we are concerned they will come to harm - or gang-raped, as one of their number quips.

This is writer/director Anthony White's debut full-length film and it's a good one. Much is made of the verdant scenery and remoteness. The dialogue and acting are persuasive, and even the inevitable sex chat has an amusing edge to it. Nothing hugely new is attempted here, we have ghost stories around the camp-fire to set the scene, slow burning horror atmospherics and a gradual cloud of doom sweeping over the small cast of characters. This is not a criticism - what this film it does, it does very well.

The music by Paul Scott is very raw and effective and helps sell the mood of this rural nightmare, and it is true to say, the brutality and horror is piled up nicely toward the end. Recommended.