The Girl in the Woods

I suggest you watch the excellent horror/comedy movie The Cabin in the Woods and then decide for yourself whether or not this series rips off the premise.

I was expecting it to be very basic and boring, but it was actually engaging. It wasn't really a horror show as much as a teen drama with horror elements. As a teen drama it was above average, the characters were realistic and there problems too. If you are looking for something scary this show is not for you, but if you want an teen drama that doesn't make you brain dead while watching it, it's pretty good.

Carrie (Stefanie Scott) and her people have been tasked with guarding a mysterious door in the Oregon woods. One day, she decides to run away from the door. She is befriended by outcast teens Tasha (Sofia Bryant) and Nolan (Misha Osherovich). She is being tracked by Arthur Deane (Will Yun Lee).

Stefanie Scott is a bit wooden as an actress, but that's fine for the character who is hiding stuff. The start is a bit clunky. There is a better way to play this from a cult idea. This really needs to start with Tasha and Nolan. Nolan is a fascinating side character with potential. There is material here for a good show, but it's not done in the most imaginative way. All in all, the show is uneven, but just compelling enough to keep watching. I like the group dynamics and the nightmare monsters. After one season, it's probably done.

The premise of the show has potential, but the characters are cliché to the point of absurdity. They hardly need dialogue because it's blatantly obvious what each character is going to say in every scene.

This is a supernatural teen show but with an atypical and rather interesting plot. The main character, Carrie, grew up in an isolated cult deep in the woods that dedicates itself to keeping nightmarish monsters locked away behind a mystical door, all to nobody in the outside world's knowledge. She eventually leaves the cult for reasons unknown and the story goes from there.

The writing is far from stellar. It's obviously not going for any awards, but the show is entertaining enough to keep you watching. Not everyone will like it though, and that's fine. The episodes are short so it's not a time-sink. Watch the first episode and decide from there.

If you're wondering why a few people are calling the show "woke," it's because the main girl is gay, and the female co-star is black, with the male-costar being non-binary. That's enough to have some people hate the show. Skip it if that bothers you.