The Forest(2016) | Sea of Jumpscares

"Sakura: The Forest has Yurie. Everybody know that.

Sara: You mean ghosts? 

Sakura: Yurie, different from ghosts. The forest use them to trick you. Do you know why, 'Do not leave the path?'
Because if you get lost and you have sadness in your heart, they will use it against you.
Yurie come find you. They make you see things. They make you want to die." - Sakura, 19:40

"It's a twin thing" - Nellie Crain, EP4 The Haunting of Hill House

The Forest is a supernatural horror film produced by David S. Goyer and directed by Jason Zada. It was produced by Al-Film and Lava Bear Films and distributed by Gramercy Pictures. It is available on Netflix. TF stars Natalie Dormer (Sara/Jess Price), Taylor Kinney (Aiden), Yukiyoshi Ozawa (Michi), and Tina Takasaki (Hoshiko). For a full list of cast and crew.

Aokigahara also known as the Sea of Trees is a large forest at the northwest flank of Mount Fuji. The geology of the area is fascinating with ancient volcanic runoff providing nutrients while the igneous bedrock is pocked with deep ice caverns. Its dense thick forests provide a chill eerily calm atmosphere with sparse wildlife and unending trees. For many of the Japanese Aokigahara can be considered part of the natural splendor of the area however like many beautiful things it has a darker side.

The year after the movie was produced American Youtuber Logan Paul ran into controversy when he filmed the death of a young man on a trip to Japan. Because you see Aokigahara goes by another name the Suicide Forest. Every year hundreds arrive at the forest planning on taking their lives. The connection between death and the forest has dated back for centuries. Folklore states that Ubasute, (Senicide through exposure as a form of euthanasia), was practiced until recent times. In 1961 Seicho Matsumoto published Nami no To, (Tower of Waves) and in 1993 Wataru Tsurumi published the Kanzen Jisatsu Manyuaru(The Complete Suicide Manual) both of which helped contribute to the grim association. This provides the perfect back drop for a horror film with the many deaths and local beliefs of the forest being haunted by Yurie. On a side note Goyer was shocked that "with all of the J-Horror films that were coming out about 10 years ago [Approx. 2006], no one had ever made a film about the subject matter", which inspired him to develop the movie. However he was Johnny-come-lately as The Forest is the 5th full length film involving the area, (The first four being Forest of the Living Dead(2011), Towering Waves(2012), Grave Halloween(2013), and The Sea of Trees(2015)).

The story begins when Sara Price(Natalie Dromer), gets a call from the Japanese police that her sister Jess(Also played by Dromer) entered the suicide forest a few days ago and is presumingly dead. Sara has a twin thing, (so she would know if she was dead), and decides to find her sister heading off to Japan. After gaining some background on the forest and the meeting of a reporter named Aiden (Taylor Kinney) she finds a guide that will help her look for her sister in the forest. This begins a series of events in which Sara refuses to listen to reason, logic, or basic common sense and to trust everything at face value despite the numerous warnings that the forest is a giant psychological torture acid trip. The plot is chaotic with much of the conflict caused by Sara's myopic thrashing then by any direct attack of unresting spirits. The horror in the movie is beyond pitiful with a good portion of the "Scares" being delivered in obvious, clearly telegraphed dream sequences, (Watch Marianne if you want to see a dream sequence done right), or through obnoxious jumpscares that had the staying power of an early 2000s internet screamer. The ending is equally nonsensically with idiotic and unnecessary deaths. The writing in general is the worst part of this movie squandering the conceit and worldbuilding of the movie.

Dromer took the role due to the interesting opportunity to play two characters in the same movie. This novelty was unfortunately underplayed as "Jess" had an almost laughable small amount of screentime with there only being one scene involving both sides of Dromer. I can say unequivocally that I hated Sara Price, the character was one of the most stubborn genre blind protagonist I have ever seen. Not only could see not follow a single person well deserved advice or consider the fact that her sister was probably dead, (No she's not we have a Twin Thing), she couldn't go five minutes without gulping down the ghostly kool aid sprouting an amount of paranoia that is entirely uncalled for, (He needs the knife to pry open the panel on the radio Sara). I don't have much to say about much of the cast givin the lack of most of the characters screen time. That being said I would like to thank Kinney and Dormer for the effort they put into their roles.

The Forest was Jason Zada (known for his interactive short Take This Lollipop) debut film and honestly I feel terrible for him. Zada has a strong visual style and for a nasciant director is skilled. A early scene where Sara discusses the death of her parents with Aiden provides a visually distinct amount of dramatic irony that was fantastically iconic. Despite the abyssal plot the movie is incredible well shot providing a strange case of  new wine in old wineskins. The only thing that mars the visuals are moments of haphazard CGI which while being technical precise are jaring in the context of the film. On a similar note I have no complaint for Bear McCreary whose scoring was minimalist, (which fits the setting), but effective. Overall the technically direction of the film was well done which makes the final result so much more disappointing.

Despite decent performances from Dromer and Kinney and tight technically direction from New director Jason Zada, The forest is unequivocally a flop. It takes an interesting location and a fascinating character concept and goes nowhere fast with cheap jumpscares and a jumbled plot. I am wistful for what this movie could have been but sober in what this movie is. An absolute disappointment. 
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Warning This Movie deals with the concept of suicide which can be triggering

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

If you live outside the U.S.