Watch The Backwoods

The Backwoods is a 2006 thriller directed by Koldo Serra and starring an impressive cast including Gary Oldman, Virginie Ledoyen, Paddy Considine and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón. Set in Spain in the late 1970s, the film follows a group of four friends who embark on a hunting trip in the remote forests of northern Spain. What starts as a leisurely excursion into the wilderness soon turns into a chilling test of survival as the group encounters a violent and sinister group of locals.

At the heart of the film is a complex character study of the four friends. Mark (Paddy Considine) is the most level-headed of the group and tries to maintain a sense of calm in the midst of turmoil; Norman (Gary Oldman) is the alpha male, desperate to prove his manhood through the hunt; his girlfriend Lucy (Virginie Ledoyen) is the quiet observer, trying to find her place in the male-dominated group; and Paula (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) is the outsider, struggling to fit in with the others.

As the group ventures deeper into the forest, tensions begin to run high. The hunt for game leads to dangerous terrain, and soon they find themselves lost and alone, with no food or water. They come across a seemingly abandoned cabin, which they decide to take shelter in for the night. However, they soon realize that they are not alone, and the cabin is home to a group of locals who are clearly not fond of outsiders.

As the night wears on, the tension between the two groups mounts, and the friends begin to realize that they may not make it out of the forest alive. Oldman's complex portrayal of Norman is a standout performance, injecting the character with an intense and volatile energy that keeps the audience on edge throughout the film. Considine's understated performance as Mark is a perfect counterpoint, providing a sense of calm in the midst of the chaos.

The Backwoods benefits from an impressive sense of atmosphere, with the stunning Spanish landscapes providing a beautiful backdrop to the unfolding horror. The film's haunting score also adds to the tense and unsettling tone, heightening the sense of danger as the group ventures further into the unknown.

While the film may not offer the most original take on the survival thriller genre, it is a well-crafted and engaging movie that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat throughout. Led by a talented cast and expertly directed by Koldo Serra, The Backwoods is a tense and unsettling film that will have viewers captivated from beginning to end.

The Backwoods is a 2007 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.