The Barrens
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Actors: Stephen Moyer, Mia Kirshner, Allie MacDonald
PlotRichard Vineyard takes his family on a camping trip to the picturesque New Jersey Pine Barrens to reconnect with each other and escape their busy lives. However, the trip quickly becomes unsettling when they discover the campsite more crowded than expected and the forest itself harboring an eerie presence. Richard, already stressed out by work and desperate for the trip to be perfect, begins to show signs of erratic behavior, driven by the sense of something malevolent lurking in the woods. As they trek deeper into the forest, Richard's mental state deteriorates, leading to increasing paranoia and fear.
The family struggles to understand Richard's obsession with the legend of the Jersey Devil, a mythical beast said to roam the Pine Barrens. His wife, Cynthia, and children attempt to stay calm and rational, but they are increasingly frightened by his unpredictable actions and the strange occurrences around them. The tension mounts as they encounter other campers who have also heard the unsettling howls at night and seen mysterious shadows moving in the darkness. The line between reality and myth blurs, pushing the family to confront the terrifying possibility that something might indeed be hunting them in the forest.
Writers: Darren Lynn Bousman
Release Date: 15 Mar 2013
Runtime: 94 min
Rating: R
Country: Canada, United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
The Barrens offers a muddled blend of psychological drama and horror but is elevated by its strong performances and commendable low-budget effort.
Read our review of The Barrens Blu-ray to find out more