Lionsgate has released a theatrical trailer for its upcoming Whedon horror film, The Cabin in the Woods, which has been in post-production for almost two years.
The first trailer showed us there was good reason for the delay, as the effects ar far beyond the production value we usually see in horror films. This new trailer gives us a bit of background to the story.
Frankly, I’m usually not one for horror films. I realize they are technically part of the fantasy genres, but I don’t really like being startled in the theater, and most ‘horror’ films are simply poor excuses to ‘scare’ the audience in this manner.
However, this one looks different, which perhaps we should expect, considering that it originated with Joss Whedon, who I consider to be one of the most talented producers of television and film.
Yes, The Cabin in the Woods is formatted like a slasher film, and features many elements of that genre. Still, it also boasts a sci-fi element that seems very interesting, and I expect many of the slasher film tropes to be subverted in this film.
It actually looks from this trailer like it will be an attmpted amalgamation of the slasher and sci-fi thriller sub-genres, which has been attempted many times before, but only really pulled off well once or twice – Alien and Pitch Black come to mind off the top of my head – and are almost always extra-terrestrial in setting. It’ll be interesting to see just where Whedon has gone with this story, and if he’s managed not to turn it into a startle flick. That would be disappointing.
The film’s official synopsis is mockingly brief:
Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen.
The Cabin in the Woods stars Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison and Fran Kranz as the friends, supported by Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford and Amy Acker as the supposed villains.
The film opens to theaters on April 13, 2012.
