Watch The Barrens
- R
- 2012
- 1 hr 34 min
-
4.6 (4,814)
The Barrens is a horror movie from 2012, directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, featuring Stephen Moyer as Richard Vineyard, a man who takes his family on a camping trip to the New Jersey Pine Barrens for a much-needed escape from their busy lives. But as they venture deeper into the forest, strange occurrences begin to happen, and Richardâs mental state starts to unravel.
The movie starts with the Vineyard family packing their bags for their camping trip in the Barrens. Richard is a bit brooding, and he seems to have a lot on his mind. His wife, Cynthia (Mia Kirshner), tries to keep things cheery and light-hearted, but itâs evident that thereâs some discord between them. Their daughter, Sadie (Allie MacDonald), is enough of a handful on her own, but thereâs something off about her behavior that hints at something much more sinister.
As they set up camp, strange occurrences start to happen. Their dog runs off into the woods, and Richard and Sadie chase after it but canât find it. They hear strange noises in the night, and Cynthia is convinced that thereâs something stalking them. She suggests they pack up and leave, but Richard insists that they stay.
As they continue to explore the Barrens, the tension between the family members grows. Richard refuses to acknowledge the strange occurrences, but Cynthia and Sadie become more and more convinced that thereâs something evil in the woods. They find a strange symbol carved into a tree, and Sadie starts having visions of a monster lurking in the shadows.
The tension boils over when Richard is attacked by what appears to be a bear. Heâs badly injured, and theyâre forced to make their way back to their car for help. But as they travel deeper into the woods, they begin to realize that what they thought was a bear attack might be something much more sinister.
The Barrens is a slow-burning horror movie thatâs more psychological than gory. The tension builds throughout the movie, and the sense of dread is palpable. The Pine Barrens is a perfect setting for a horror movie, and the cinematography captures the eerie, desolate landscape perfectly.
The acting is solid, particularly from Stephen Moyer and Mia Kirshner. Moyer is convincing as a man struggling with his own demons, and Kirshner brings a much-needed sense of urgency to the story. Allie MacDonaldâs portrayal of Sadie is a bit uneven, but she manages to hold her own in the later parts of the movie.
One of the movie's strengths is its ambiguity. The filmmakers never fully explain whatâs going on in the Barrens, leaving it up to the viewerâs interpretation. Is the monster real, or is it all in the familyâs head? This adds an extra layer of creepiness to the movie and makes it more thought-provoking than your average horror flick.
However, the movie isnât without its flaws. The pacing is slow, and it takes a while for the action to get going. The ending is also a bit confusing and will leave some viewers scratching their heads.
In conclusion, The Barrens is a solid horror movie that's worth a watch, particularly for fans of psychological horror. While it's not perfect, it's well-acted and features a unique and creepy setting. The slow pace may turn some viewers off, but for those willing to stick with it, the pay-off is worth it.
The Barrens is a 2012 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6.
