Bloodline, The Cabin (2013)
Directed by: Matt Thompson
Written by: Matt Thompson
Starring: Christopher Frontiero, Gina Comparetto, Grainger Hines, Jesse Kristofferson, Kimberly Alexander, Matt Thompson
THE CABIN (2013)
aka BLOODLINE
Directed by Matt Thompson
After a Native Americans tribesman is murdered, the tribe’s Shaman places a curse upon the settlers responsible that will forever curse their bloodline. 250 years later, student Brett Ethos is preparing to be ordained as a deacon at church. Whilst clearing out his late grandfather’s attic, he discovers a map and a key to a cabin he inherited from him. His friends, Kevin and Davy, convince Brett to spend a fun weekend away at the cabin before Brett is ordained. The trio head out to the cabin along with Kevin’s girlfriend and Brett’s ex whom he hasn’t spoken to for a few years. What starts off as a simple trip soon becomes a nightmare as the group find themselves trapped in the woods among an ancient evil.
Like your typical ‘cabin in the woods’ films, THE CABIN, also known as Bloodline, follows the stereotypical pattern: a group of friends go to a secluded cabin where they are ‘greeted’ by a local who makes them feel unwelcomed. Subtle, weird stuff begins to happen but only after the first night, of which some sexual activity must occur, does the ‘shit’ hit the fan. From there on, the group do their upmost to survive and make it out alive. THE CABIN pretty much ticks all the boxes but adds a Native American curse vibe to the mix which reveals itself in the form of a murderous zombie parasitic infection. Inject the holy storyline of Brett becoming a man of faith yet somehow struggling with his own belief in God, and you have yourself a true battle of good vs evil, both literally and personally, with Brett torn between his belief in God and hatred for losing all he loves.
In all good cabin movies, the group of friends consists of guys and girls who are either in a relationship, were in a relationship once upon a time ago or are going to be in a relationship. Then, of course, is the extra guy who acts as the comedian of the group and probably has a hard time trying to get a girl. THE CABIN adheres to these rules with Christopher Frontiero starring as the nerdy Davy who sees himself as the party animal but is anything but, though is never short of ways to try to entertain the group. Jesse Kristofferson, son of Kris, stars as Brett’s friend Kevin, a sarcastic young man who likes to take the mick out of his friends but deep down cares for them and his girlfriend Chelsi (Gina Comparetto). Kimberly Alexander plays Katie, Brett’s childhood sweetheart. After parting ways with Brett several years earlier, she’s eager to reconnect with him, though Brett (played by director Matt Thompson) isn’t keen to let anyone in, especially after the death of his parents and grandfather.
THE CABIN seems to set itself apart from other cabin movies, having fairly intellectual characters. The characters in this film know when something is wrong and don’t appear to make the mistakes others have in past movies. They’re trying to move forward in a clever, measured way, and whilst the action on-screen is not always intense, it certainly is refreshing, with a group of decent actors who the audience can empathise with. Director Matt Thompson also allows the viewer time to get to know the group and invest in their personalities, so that when things do start going downhill, we actually care.
One of the major things that impressed me about this movie is the cinematography. THE CABIN has some beautiful shots, particularly in the opening of the movie, which really set the scene and give the viewer a feel for the lives of the characters. I certainly hope to see more from the film’s DoP, John Alexander Jimenez, in the future.
Cabin movies tend to be ten a penny nowadays, but THE CABIN has a lot going for it. A slowburner with a definitive story to tell, THE CABIN is worth a watch if woodland horrors are your thing.
[rating5.5/10]
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