This movie based off of a true forest in Japan is a movie with potential that falls short due to plot holes, stupidity, and predictability. Natalie Dormer plays Sara Price who is searching for her twin sister in Aokigahara forest, also known as, “A pretty place to die.” This forest is world renown for the amount of suicides that occur. Sara’s sister went missing in the forest which people believed that she committed suicide. Sara does not believe this because of her psychic bond with her sister. She feels she is alive and must find her. So this somehow rich lady grabbed a plane to Japan to find her sister in which she stays in an amazing hotel in downtown Japan than a shit cottage in the forest. Do not know where the money is coming from but good for her. While at this cottage with a full bar she meets an American traveler named Aiden (Taylor Kinney) who is looking for a story and found a perfect candidate with Sara. He promises her if she allows him to interview her he will take her in the forest with Michi a man who volunteers his time to go into the forest to recover bodies of suicide victims to give there families a reprieve. Michi warns Sara that the forest will play tricks on you and it could cost you your life if you are sad. Basic plot.
The movie was there but the possibilities could have been endless with a movie like this, that takes place a fucking forest where people commit suicide. Seriously, jump scares out the ass, psychological twists, mental debilitation, isolation, hallucinations,so much scary shit could happen but no they kept it to simple. I mean some of this stuff was in the movie but they could have made way more of it. Hell maybe in a directors cut (fingers crossed). Not to mention the stupidity of the protagonist. First, if you are going to a suicide forest expect dead bodies. Secondly, listen to your fucking guide if he tells you no you shouldn’t do it. Don’t be stupid. Here is an idea do not wander off bad decision in a suicide forest. I am also tired of these strong female leads who do not want to listen to a man no matter how experienced they are in the new world you just put yourself in. I am sorry you assume the worst about men but damn I would be more worried about the forest. If not suicide victims imagine the dangerous animals. So if you want to be a strong female lead do not be hard headed.
My final thoughts are that the movie had a eerie feel. However, the potentiality of this movie is totally there so fucking take it. It ain’t that expensive to get a Go-Pro and add a couple more horrific visuals in a movie. This seemed as if it was a simple scary story their needs a bit more creativity. Forests are scary and creepy, use it.
scarefirsttalklater 