Wrong Turn Review

Review of Wrong Turn (2003) by screenqueeen: 👍 3.5/5

HOOPTOBER 8.0 DAY 8 23 DAYS REMAIN

There's something about backwoods horror like this that I enjoy a lot. Maybe it's the locale or the traditionally awkward cast groupings, or maybe because the majority of them end up being cannibal movies. That's a big weakness for me. This ends up in a sweet spot of mine but the meander-y nature of the flick gives it a sheen of comfort for me. What makes it better is the makeup effects for the antagonists, that honestly look like they could have been used as screen tests for Peter Jackson's orcs and goblins.

At a certain point a set-piece happens that I didn't expect, when the characters escape a burning building. They jump down into the trees, and one of the hillbillies tracks them down to hunt them right there with an axe and for my money gives us the best kill of the film. Eliza Dushku is seemingly invincible too as she hits a huge thick branch as she jumps (right on her hip bone!) and immediately uses that momentum to spin around it and grab it to hold on, and without missing a beat scrambles around like a spider monkey. Holy shit. She also did most of her stunts and I'm wondering why she hasn't been in more action or physical stunt-forward roles.