Something in the Woods

Something in the Woods is a 2015 independent thriller film directed by David D. Ford, who also serves as one of the main characters. The film also features Angela Harger and Kayden Grisham, in their respective roles. This movie, inspired by true events, propels its audience into a chilling experience and shows the courage of a family staying united and resilient against unexpected adversarial forces.

Set in the lush, eerie backwoods of East Texas, the plot navigates through the journey of John Hartman (played by David D. Ford), a hard-working family man and a dedicated timber worker. John, portrayed as earnest and devoted, lives peacefully with his wife, Cheryl (played by Angela Harger), and their two young sons, Hank and Little Joe, played by Mike L. Hall and Kayden Grisham respectively. They're a family that is grounded in their simple, modest lifestyle.

However, their serenity is abruptly shattered as they sense an ominous presence lurking in their surroundings. The forest adjacent to their home starts to foster an eerie sense of unease. Strange occurrences begin to plague the Hartman family. Their cozy wooden home perched amidst the wilderness starts to feel threatened by something sinister. Unrecognizable sounds from the woods, sightings of a strange figure, livestock disappearing, all point towards an unseen entity. This initiates the spine-chilling undercurrent theme of suspense that runs the course throughout the movie.

John's determination to protect his family against the looming danger leads him on a course of discovery and confrontation with the mysterious force. While the local law enforcement shrugs off John's fears hypothesizing logical explanations, John's intuition tells him otherwise.

As the narrative evolves, the audience is lured into the tense-filled journey of John, as he attempts to unravel the reality about the creature rumoured to dwell in the woods. There's a stake of not just his family's safety, but also the stability of the community, as more and more cases of strange sightings and disturbances are being reported by the townsfolk.

David D. Ford's performance as John Hartman not only does justice to the character, but his direction also successfully delivers an underlining, unnerving tension. He presents a scenario where the real terror often lies in the unseen, the unknown. Angela Harger as Cheryl Hartman effectively brings to life the character of a loving mother confronted with an unexplainable horror threatening her family. Her motherly resilience featuring human fear and resolve strikes a right chord with the audience.

A child actor, Kayden Grisham as Little Joe Hartman, does a commendable job. His innocence coupled with fear and curiosity perfectly adds to the narrative of a family facing inexplicable circumstances. The film does a fine job in building up the suspense throughout its running time, using the dark and impenetrable woods as an effective representation of the inexplicable unknown.

Despite being an independent movie with a low-budget production, Something in the Woods manages to keep viewers on edge. Skillful camerawork, clever use of sounds, careful attention to period details, and commendable performances all contribute to its success. The creativity employed in suggesting the menacing presence without relying on visual graphics or special effects adds depth to the suspense.

Something in the Woods is not a typical creature-feature. It delves into the primal fear of the unknown that is inherent in all of us. The blend of suspense, mystery and old-fashioned thriller ensures that the movie goes beyond the genre's typical boundaries. It's a gripping tale about an ordinary family's bravery, resilience, and survival in the face of a haunting and eerie predicament. This is a must-watch for those who sincerely appreciate a well-narrated suspense thriller backed up by sincere performances and a reality-based scare scenario.