Redwood

Redwood is a 2017 venture into the psychological horror genre directed by Tom Paton, starring Mike Beckingham, Tatjana Nardone, and Nicholas Brendon. The film weaves together a tale of survival, fear, and the supernatural. The movie effectively uses the beautiful yet isolated backdrop of a Redwood forest to contribute to its building sense of unease and danger creating an atmosphere that holds the audience in suspense throughout its run.

The storyline revolves around the life of Josh (Mike Beckingham), a music industry professional in London, and his girlfriend, Beth (Tatjana Nardone). Both of them decide to take a break from their chaotic city life and set out on an adventurous camping trip into the dense Redwood forest. The trip, which started as an escape from their usual lifestyle and work schedule, takes an unexpected turn, tossing them straight into a haunting and perilous ordeal. The relatively serene beauty of the Redwood wilderness swiftly turns into a horrifying stage that tests their endurance, bravery, and resilience.

However, the movie is not just about their jungle expedition. It also addresses some serious and sensitive issues that contribute to the layered narratives. Josh, the central character, is battling Leukemia. His struggle with this disease and the eventual discovery early in the story of his illness adds a profound subtext to an otherwise survival narrative. His confrontation with his mortality and the challenges it poses on his relationship with Beth intensifies the psychological drama in the story.

Mike Beckingham, as Josh, presents an impressive performance unveiling multiple layers of his character with subtlety and nuance. His journey from urban calm, through a wilderness fraught with perilous unknowns, his tonal transition from an ailing lover to a survivalist, has been portrayed hauntingly. Tatjana Nardone, playing the role of the faithful and protective girlfriend Beth, matches Beckingham's performance in emotional depth and intensity. Her realization of Josh's illness and her subsequent unwavering support depict her character's strength and adds a humanistic element to the film.

The surprise quotient in Redwood is the inclusion of Nicholas Brendon, best known for his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Brendon shines in a brief but significant role as Steve, a cheerful park ranger who helps Josh and Beth navigate through the wilderness. His light-hearted bantering and friendship offer a glimpse of comic relief before the plot dives into darker tones.

Director Tom Paton effectively uses the wilderness as a character, contrasting the beauty and serenity of nature with the threat of danger that lurks within, thus intensifying the sense of fear and uncertainty. The film is visually stunning, with the deep, misty forest offering an excellent playground for horror genre tropes to unfold.

The music by Richard Wells sets the perfect mood for this psychological suspense thriller. Wells' underlying score flows seamlessly with the storyline, enhancing the uneasy, chilling vibe the film successfully establishes, thus making an essential contribution to the overall narrative.

Redwood crafts a gripping tale that not only thrills and scares but also tugs at emotional chords with its layered plot. The movie’s pacing is well controlled and it holds back from revealing too much too soon, ensuring the audience stays hooked till the end. Essentially, Redwood is not just an out-and-out horror film. Instead, it skillfully blends elements of survival, suspense, and a dash of romance.

Redwood offers an exciting departure from the clichéd horror genre, wrapping up in it some real-life problems, solid performances, and skilled direction. It celebrates every element of fear - fear of the unknown, fear of death, fear of losing someone you love, and how such fears can culminate in a horrifying ordeal. This amalgamation of emotional drama and horror makes Redwood an intriguing watch that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat until the very end with its twisted, haunting narrative. It’s a psychological thriller that must not be missed by aficionados of the horror genre.