animal

Animal is a thrilling horror movie released in 2014 directed by Brett Simmons. The film showcases an ensemble cast featuring Joey Lauren Adams, Elizabeth Gillies, and Paul Iacono. Rooted in classical horror traditions, the movie focuses on a horrifying creature and a group of friends' desperate efforts to outlive it.

The film opens with a group of old friends who decide to take an out-of-the-box holiday. They plan for an adventurous hiking trip into the deep, uncharted woods for a much-needed break from their mundane life. Among the group are a couple, Mandy (played by Joey Lauren Adams) and Matt (Aaron Hill), their longtime friends Jeff (Parker Young) and Sean (Paul Iacono), and Matt's younger sister, Alissa (Keke Palmer).

However, the tranquility of their planned retreat is abruptly threatened when they encounter a monstrous, bloodthirsty creature prowling the dense woods. When night falls, the terrifying reality dawns on them: they are being hunted. The movie escalates swiftly from serene, carefree scenes of camaraderie, into tense and frightening attacks in the dark, with fast-paced running sequences through the trees, screams breaking the stillness of the night.

Elizabeth Gillies, best known for her roles in television, plays Mandy, a cashier who is among the stragglers stumbled upon by our initial group. The groups conjoin, forced into an uneasy alliance faced with the common threat lurking outside. Their sense of safety, however, is ephemeral as they quickly realize that the hideout can only provide temporary protection from the brutal force lurking outside.

The movie then unfolds into a tale of survival, fright, and visceral terror as they are forced to face the horrifying creature outside their hideout. The battle of human instinct versus the beast provides plenty of nail-biting moments, and the onscreen chemistry of Adams, Gillies, and Iacono deliver tension-packed scenes, keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats.

The director, Brett Simmons, masterfully orchestrates the plot, building moments of suspense that are complemented by periodic, fright-filled action sequences. The detailed character development throughout the film allows the audience to invest in each character's survival. Simmons makes good use of low lighting and ambiance, creating a much-needed atmosphere of horror and suspense while keeping the viewers guessing.

Animal exploits the primal fear of the unknown, combined with the age-old setting of dense woods, which adds to the build-up of uncanny dread. The fear is not only based on the animalistic horror but also the dwindling trust and growing paranoia among the survivors as they are pushed to their limits, trying to outsmart the beast.

Joey Lauren Adams' performance as Mandy is commendable, displaying well the transformation of her character from a kind-hearted friend to a desperate survivor. Elizabeth Gillies' powerful transition from a withdrawn and innocent girl to a tough survivor also steals attention, lending depth to the narrative. Paul Iacono as Sean, the light-hearted friend, provides the occasional comic relief amid the tense atmosphere, giving him a memorable role.

The movie's visual effects and makeup are worth noting. The horrifying creature, kept mostly in shadows, is often more hinted at than viewed directly, a choice that amplifies its fear factor. It's an intelligent use of suggestive horror that tickles the viewers' imagination and leaves them anticipating the terror that the characters are about to confront.

In conclusion, Animal climbs from a simple creature-feature premise into a tense survival drama. While the film borrows elements from traditional horror, it spins an engaging narrative, spiced up with superior acting performances, intense plot twists, and heart-pounding suspense. The film's climactic end leaves viewers holding their breath, encapsulating the terrifying journey the characters embark upon. For those who love a hair-raising horror flick that exploits primal fears while keeping them guessing, Animal is the film to watch.