In the Deep Woods

In the Deep Woods is a meandering psychological thriller regarding a serial killer. It wanders over the many red herrings and possibilities to the extent that the plot becomes pointless. When the resolution finally comes, the thrill is long gone from the movie. And even though it meandering, it felt contained at the same time. So dissatisfaction is had all the way around it.

Rosanna Arquette is sufficient in the role as the lead, but her histrionic expression starts to wear by the second half. Anthony Perkins (in his last film) brings a decent intensity to his character, but his motivation is minute to the nature of the plot points for his character. It's almost as if he's too good an actor for this film. The rest of the cast are adequate, but at times, they can go too far into stereotypical behaviors.

The film starts out with enough tension to carry a TV or cable film. Unfortunately, it peters out into dulled plodding step by step plot points. I yawned at the end, and was frustrated by the lack of closure to the characters after the killer was identified.

I don't watch 90s movies often, i'm more of an 80s and 70s kind of gal myself, but this was a nice change of pace. Rosanne Arquette is gorgeous and so perfectly 90s, and Anthony Perkins is amazing as always. Not bad for a TV movie but extremely formulaic in the way that Tobe Hooper's Toolbox Murders was. And enjoyable in the same way that one was too. There are a lot of plot holes however, and it's very melodramatic. The stupid argument with the boyfriend just made me livid with how unrealistic and petty it was. A good thing was the outfits. But is that really to their credit? They just dressed like they were from 1992. They were. It's only enjoyable in retrospect. Another thing was the soundtrack- at times. It wasn't great all the way through but at times it surpassed the general mediocrity. For a TV movie though, surprisingly not bad. Overall fun to watch.

This is an interesting serial killer movie with an excellent cast - Anthony Perkins, Rosanna Arquette, and one of my favorites, Will Patton.

It's nicely directed with an even pace. It keeps you guessing until the end as to who the serial killer really is, then it comes together. The acting from both the main cast and the supporting cast is very good. There are no serious plot holes, it all makes sense in the end. The psychological profile of the serial killer is realistic.

I see some harsh reviews, but there is really nothing wrong with this movie. I recommend it for anyone who likes crime mystery films. It deserves a better rating.

I saw "In The Deep Woods" yesterday on the Lifetime Movie Network. I expected an entertaining, but formulaic movie (i.e. the typical woman in jeopardy type of thing that Lifetime often shows), but this film, which depicts the story of a serial killer who preys upon successful young women and leaves their bodies in the deep woods, is well acted, well crafted, and keeps you guessing until the very end. It is a dark movie, very atmospheric and almost noir-ish, and reminded me somewhat of the 80's classic, the Jagged Edge.

Rosanna Arquette turns in a solid performance and it made me wish we had the opportunity to see her act more often in challenging roles. Anthony Perkins, probably in one of his last film roles, is also very effective as a mystery man on a mission who is investigating the deaths of the victims for his own reasons.

In summary, it's chilling and involving and much better than most films of this genre. A good film for a snowy Sunday or even better, for one of those nights when you just can't get to sleep.

Rosanna Arquette finds herself in the thick of a serial killer investigation, when one of her friends turns up a victim. This not always believable murder investigation turns up one suspect after another, all of which are rather tenuous in the motive and logic department. "In the Deep Woods" seems like it was written to try for some record in the number of "red herrings" that could be stuffed into the rather shallow story. Rosanna Arquette and Anthony Perkins do what they can with some very slight material, and everyone else is quite forgettable., More than a few plot holes develop along the way to what seems like a forced conclusion. - MERK