3 Movies That Will Deter You from Venturing into the Woods.

Hannah H
The Live. Love. Laugh. Pub
4 min readJul 9, 2024
Photo by kilarov zaneit on Unsplash

A journey into the woods invokes feelings of relaxation and tranquility as you hear leaves crunching beneath your feet while you admire the breathtaking scenery.

On the other hand, this peaceful setting is the perfect location for sinister events that’ll have you running while you scream at the top of your lungs.

The woods are the ideal location to create a suspenseful atmosphere as although there are plenty of places to hide, you can become lost just as quickly.

From unexpected otherworldly occurrences to terrifying cults, join me as we discuss three movies that will make you think twice about vacationing in the woods.

1.) Wrong Turn (2021)

This film is the latest addition to the franchise with the six previous movies premiering from 2003 to 2014. However, we’ll focus on the 2021 film as this addition brought something new and exciting to the genre.

“Wrong Turn” centers around a group of friends who are ecstatic to begin their hiking adventure. Unfortunately, they stray away from the Appalachian Trail and in doing so, come into contact with a society of people who call themselves the ‘The Foundation.’ From here, their hiking adventure turns into a violent nightmare.

This film does an extraordinary job at creating likable characters only to have them ripped away as the plot develops and the friends begin to experience several bloody events.

Photo Credit: Saban Capital Group

Being lost in an area with overarching trees and endless turns is stressful enough but when the friends realize that they are not the only ones in the woods, fear and panic slowly settle in among them.

“Wrong Turn” captures your attention in a claustrophobic manner as although the friends are in an open space, it’s clear that they are being closely watched at all times.

Also, this film has some pretty gruesome moments so that’s something to note before watching.

2.) Cocaine Bear (2023)

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

This famous line from “The Wizard of Oz” comically illustrates the many dangers lurking in the woods, which can reveal themselves at any moment.

In “Cocaine Bear”, you may find yourself shouting “Oh My!” due to several unexpected moments while you laugh at the various escapades seen on screen.

Comedy and horror are truly a match made in heaven and I thoroughly enjoy when movies featuring these two elements are brought to life. This movie doesn’t take itself too seriously and is perfect for those looking for a fun yet terrifying film.

As the title suggests “Cocaine Bear” follows a bear who ingests a large amount of cocaine, leading to a murderous rampage in a forest that affects everyone in the surrounding areas.

Throughout the film, there are multiple storylines which occur that showcase how the bear’s destructive frenzy has disrupted everyone’s lives.

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures

We meet several characters such as tourists, a family, and employees who all add something different to the film due to their specific storylines.

“Cocaine Bear” also features dramatic chase scenes and hilarious dialogue which are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Also, you’ll be surprised to know that this film was based on a true story which occurred in 1985. Crazy, right?

3.) A Quiet Place (2018)

In this film, the woods become a family’s sanctuary when the world becomes overrun with monsters who hunt by sound. “A Quiet Place” is a brilliant film that creates an unsettling atmosphere while showcasing the importance of family.

This film centers around the Abbott family of four who live in a post-apocalyptic world where they are hunted by monsters who are sensitive to sound. Therefore, their every move is cloaked in silence as the family navigates life in this new reality.

The movie examines the mystery behind the monsters and showcases how the family has adapted to their new reality. To protect their children, Evelyn and Lee establish a particular set of rules among themselves and communicate through sign language.

Photo Credit: Jonny Cournoyer — Paramount Pictures

Throughout the film, we see the family encounter many dangerous experiences which are bound to make you squirm in your seats especially when you remember that their survival is reliant on their ability to remain silent.

“A Quiet Place” contains everything we love about thrillers: suspense, an eerie setting, and plenty of jaw-dropping moments.

Thanks for reading!

Do you have any recommendations for films with unexpected events that occur in the woods?

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Hannah H
The Live. Love. Laugh. Pub

Hi! I'm Hannah from Barbados🇧🇧. I write about movies and other topics that pop into my mind. For freelance inquires contact me: hannahanne-marie@outlook.com