The Forest Through the Trees

Solid horror film: the plot worked, the acting was good all around, but Bryan Guarino, Vu Ha, Scott Doss, and Marilyn Knapp were standouts. The effects were impressive for the budget. They mixed practical effects with CGI for the blood and gore scenes, which totally nailed that classic 80s horror feel. The director Jason Pitts clearly knows his horror history and brings some fresh ideas to familiar territory.

The production design was great, the sound mixing was perfect, and the soundtrack adds to the vibe without being distracting. The pacing is tight, and it doesn't waste time getting to the good stuff. If you're into horror that doesn't take itself too seriously but still delivers, check it out. It's the kind of film that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place.

Scott Doss as Julian, let's start there. HOLY CRAP!!! TERRIFYING. Tremendous performance. Annie Sullivan as Chloe, Alivea Disney as Ava and James Stokes as Ken knock it out of the park. The writing and directing by Jason Pitts gets better with every movie.

The story is simple yet not so simple. Lots of layers to this simple story. Kathy, Chloe's mom and Ken's wife disappears and is missing for a year when a clue leads Chloe, Ava and Ken to a terrifying cult lead by their charismatic leader Julian. Give it a watch on Amazon prime, Letterboxed or Screamify. It's definitely worth your time. And check out Jason's other films as well! Alone, Masquerade, When the Stairs creek, Vorhees Night of the Beast, Vorhees After the Beast, Take It Slow and the upcoming The Trial of Margaret Stone.

I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting this film to be as good as it was. We all know how low budget local films can be, but I am happy to say that this did not feel like a low budget film at all. The movie played out like a much bigger and expensive film than it was.

One of the main things I noticed about this film was the acting. A lot of local films can have everything going for them, but some bad acting can ruin the entire film. This film was not at risk of that, though, as the acting in this film was top notch. There was not a bad actor in this film, everyone did a remarkable job! One role I have to point out was the part of Julian, played by actor Scott Doss. He played the creepy guy character to perfection! The main character of Chloe was played by Annie Sullivan who also did a remarkable job and is definitely worth a mention. I could just list everyone in this film, because like I stated before, the entire cast was excellent.

Another thing that can make or break a horror movie is the special effects. This film did a wonderful job with the effects, a lot of which were practical effects. There was some CG in this film, but it blended very well most of the time. There were a few spots where it was very clearly CG, but that is expected with any low budget film. One practical effect that really stood out to me was a beheading. This was done so well and was so seamless that it was very realistic!

This film had a nice plot twist in it as well, and as we have learned with most horror films, don't trust anyone! That's all I'll say about that as to not give too much away! Overall, Director Jason Pitts delivers a home run for his first full length feature film!

THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES is an original, highly entertaining trip through the world of secret societies and cults, and does an excellent job creating a very creepy atmosphere where all is not what is seems!

This film really surprised me! Movies have gotten to be so predictable but this story line kept me guessing until the very end! I was hooked right from the beginning. Sierra and Julia started the film out on the right foot. Annie Sullivan put on one heck of a performance, and Aliviea was a strong supporting actress. Overall, the acting was great! The cinematography was beautiful! It gave me an 80's horror vibe. I love that this film did so much with very minimal resources. It just goes to show that just because a film is low budget, doesn't mean it can't be incredible! Jason and his team hit it out of the park with this one!

Forest Through the Trees isn't just a movie-it's a hauntingly beautiful meditation on grief, healing, and the fragile threads that connect us all. From the opening frame to the closing silence, this film grips your heart and refuses to let go.

The cinematography is breathtaking. Every shot is soaked in emotion, with nature itself becoming a silent narrator. The forest isn't just a backdrop-it's a mirror of the characters' inner chaos and calm. You feel the weight of the air, the stillness between words, the unsaid things screaming through the trees.

The lead performance is nothing short of devastatingly brilliant. There's a quiet pain behind every glance, a strength hidden beneath vulnerability. It's the kind of performance that doesn't just impress-it stays with you.

The pacing is deliberate and intimate, allowing emotions to bloom naturally. It doesn't rush to conclusions or spoon-feed the viewer. Instead, it trusts us to feel-and feel deeply. The score whispers rather than shouts, accentuating moments with aching precision.

Forest Through the Trees isn't made for the faint of heart. It's for those who crave depth, who appreciate silence as a character, and who believe that sometimes the most powerful stories are told between the lines.

This film doesn't just tell a story. It awakens something.