When I started my viewing of Deep in the Wood, I was expecting something much different than what the movie showcased. I expected a cross between The Tall Man and The Omen, but instead I got a bizarre and disturbing thriller that unraveled into one of the craziest soap operas I’ve ever seen. You see, when little Tommi disappeared during the annual Krampus Festival, the entire town blamed the missing person’s case on his father. Imagine their surprise when Tommi was discovered, alive, five years later not far from the city. Despite the joyous moment, no one’s happy to see the child again and his erratic, aggressive behavior leads his family to believe he’s not the son that vanished years ago. Maybe he’s something else.
It took three writers to pen the script for Deep in the Wood – Stefano Lodovichi, Davide Orsini and Isabella Aguilar; with Stefano also serving as director. This may seem like over-kill for a slightly independent psychological thriller like this, but I can see how it was needed. A few pairs of eyes were needed to make sure the story was cohesive and concise by the time the viewer reaches the climax. The plot isn’t as cut and dry as it appears to be and this diversion from the synopsis’ intent was a pleasant surprise. I was also surprised that Krampus wasn’t more of a plot vehicle here besides one citizen speculating that Tommi was abducted by the Christmas beast as per holiday legends. Again, your getting more of a dark drama than horror.
But that doesn’t mean that horror is left out completely. Tommi is extremely creepy and he gives off all the typical possessed child tantrums – killing the family pet, randomly attacking strangers, getting sick in church… staring at people without blinking. You’re left wondering if Tommi has been taken over by Krampus or The Devil, if he’s just a complete lunatic, a child in need of mental help, or if the writers went in the Orphan route and replaced him completely. Deep in the Wood does a fantastic job of keeping the truth uncovered until the end of this flick, when all sorts of crazy shit goes down in the course of ten minutes. A couple splashes of blood, strolls through the woods, and a ton of uncertainty doesn’t make for a full fledged horror movie, though. Deep in the Wood is more-so mysterious and unsettling than it is scary. Don’t let any press materials fool you when it comes to its genre.
Deep in the Wood cuts right to the chase and involves you in a murder mystery turned family break-down from the start. You won’t have to wait very long to get engrossed in the plot and you’ll become a junior sleuth before you even know it. This isn’t a happy movie, even after the boy is returned. But it’s thrilling, dark and dramatic with horror nipping right at its edges. It boasts an extremely talented lead and supporting cast comprised of Camilla Filippi, Giovanni Vettorazzo, Teo Achille Caprio, Filippo Nigro, Stefano Pietro Detassis, Maria Vittoria Barrella, Robert Gudese and Luca Filippi. It’s an Italian film with English subtitles, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my viewing despite my original reservations. Final Score: 6.5 out of 10.
