Movie Overview
The Forest (2016) is a supernatural horror film that delves into the terrifying real-world legends surrounding Aokigahara, a dense woodland at the base of Mount Fuji known as a destination for suicide. Directed by Jason Zada, the movie stars Natalie Dormer as Sara, a young woman haunted by the disappearance of her identical twin sister, Jess. When Jess is last seen entering the infamous forest, Sara travels to Japan against the advice of locals to find her. Eoin Macken co-stars as Aiden, an American journalist living in Tokyo who offers to guide Sara into the wilderness.
As Sara and Aiden venture deeper into the woods, the line between reality and hallucination begins to blur. The narrative builds tension through the forest’s eerie atmosphere, utilizing the setting’s natural claustrophobia and the protagonist’s psychological vulnerability. Dormer’s dual role as both sisters enhances the film’s exploration of grief and the supernatural bonds between twins. The production effectively uses the actual location's reputation to instill dread, though the script focuses more on jump scares than deep psychological horror.
Despite its intriguing premise and strong lead performance, The Forest received a mixed critical reception. It holds a low score on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic rating of 34/100, with critics often citing formulaic storytelling and missed opportunities for genuine scares. However, the film found an audience among genre fans looking for a spooky experience available to watch online on Netflix. If you enjoy mystery thrillers with a supernatural edge and are interested in films based on unsettling folklore, The Forest offers a chilling, albeit flawed, cinematic ride. Watch it for the atmosphere and Natalie Dormer’s committed performance.
