Wilderness Review by Samantha Mauney

As a lover of under-exposed films, I have a soft-spot for foreign films in general. Add horror-- one of the most under-appreciated movie genres, and it is no surprise why I enjoyed Wilderness as much as I did.

Wilderness is the story of a group of young British prisoners sent to a remote island for rehabilitation after tradgedy strikes in their cell back at the prison. However, when they get to the island, which is supposed to be uninhabited save for them, they find that they are far from being alone. First elated to find a small camp of girls also visiting the island, their delight quickly turns to terror as someone starts to pick the young teens (and their chaperones) off one by one.

If you like all and out gore-nography, I think that this is just might be the movie for you. Think Cujo meets Last House on the Left. Very bloody, yet understandable and tasteful at the same time. Definitely not for the squeemish, though.

The film is wonderfully shot in a sort of grey/overcast color, which is probably natural to where it was shot, but nonetheless adds a great and subtle visual tone. Refreshingly, suspense is gained very organically, not through camera tricks or obnoxious music.

This film also does an excellent job of tying up plot holes, which is not something that I can say for the majority of horror films released in the past five years. By the end of the movie, there are virtually no questions left in your mind. The motive of the killer is clear and understandable, as are the actions of all of the characters (some of which are more developed than others). This is due in part by the simple storyline, which, at best, is very clean, and at worst too predictable.

On the other hand, I think that the movie does a decent job keeping you guessing about the personality and general morality of the characters. Almost everyone in this film is a convicted criminal (or doing something that they probably shouldn't be), but in the end the human side of most of the characters is clearly revealed.

What didn't I like about this movie? The same thing that I don't like about most horror movies (SPOILER):

The black guy dies first.

The movie was made in 2006, so it's not as if I can tell you to see it in theatres. However, I would highly advise renting it if you can. In fact, Netflix members can watch the film instantly online.