Many see Cabin in the Woods as a criticism of the current state of horror film-making, similar to Scream and Scary Movie in their deconstruction of the slasher-film genre. But Cabin in the Woods is much more than a meta-horror flick. It is classic Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayers, Dollhouse, Alien: Resurrection), an exploration of mainstream values in a society teetering on the edge of oblivion.
Cabin in the Woods asks the important horror-fantasy-geek question: ‘what happens if the Slayer isn’t around to save humanity from evil. It questions not only whether humanity can save itself, but whether it should saive itself given its murky morals?’ These kinds of epic questions, which will not doubt delight Buffy, Firefly fans, are the very things separating Whedon’s take on the horror\slasher film from the likes of Scream and Scary Movie, films which intentionally acted to call out lazy film-makers on their tired storytelling, but only displayed a grade-school understanding of the morality issues at play.
Cabin in the Woods delivers boat-loads of blood-drenched gore fans of the horror genre expect. It also features some stunning slasher visuals, like a scene where the archetype virgin is being attacked by a zombie and suites are drinking beers and watching it on tv. It is visually compelling as well as morally shocking to the senses. Grade A material here, with clear links to Dollhouse and Buffy themes of freewill, big brother and primordial evil.
Some viewers have criticized the quality of the graphics. But most of the film relies on traditional blood and guts props, so CGI usage is actually quite minimal and therefore does not negatively impact the film.
Cabin in the Woods is both horrific and humorous. It is the perfect vehicle for wrestle with heavy moral issues in a way that entertains those who need entertaining.
Cabin in the Woods is directed and co-written by Drew Goddard and co-written and produced by Joss Whedon. It stars Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, Anna Hutchison, Bradley Whitford, and Richard Jenkins. It features performances by Sigourney Weaver and Whedon favorites Amy Acker and Tom Lenk.