The Body Tree

The problem with Body tree is it doesn't know what it wants to be- a horror or a murder thriller and ultimately it ends up being neither. This is a problem with a lot of indie films- they lack a vision and blueprint. (Avoid it)

We thought we would give this movie a shot but we turned it off straight away. The fact that they filmed in Southern California was so evident from the first time they stopped the car. Everything about the scenes screamed Cali, from the outside of the farm area to inside the house. There was absolutely nothing that said Russia or Siberia at all. That right there spoiled the whole movie. I know I wouldn't be able to see past it.

The Body Tree is heavily influenced by films such as Ten Little Indians, and The Thing, with a group of people in an isolated location trying to second guess who the killer is. However, the plot turns things on their head in an original way.

Yes it's got plenty of cliched jump scares and slasher movie stereotypes, but this is definitely one of the better horrors I've seen in recent years. The Siberian setting (not the snowbound variety) is distinctive, the acting is decent enough, and the characters are developed enough to have some investment in their fates. Admittedly some are unpleasant.

The group are brought together to celebrate the life of a mutual friend who was murdered. There are some flashbacks that reveal more of the events of that incident, and it keeps the story flowing and entertaining.

It's well worth a watch, and I'm surprised it hasn't had a more positive reaction.

I'm a thriller junkie and I liked that this film did something different. Not a perfect movie but I liked that it kept me guessing. Some really tense scenes and back and forth dialogue. Not for everyone I'm sure but if you're like me and looking for something different in horror, something more suspenseful, this is a cool twist.

I got bored and didn't bother finishing it.

I skipped to the end to find out whodunnit and was annoyed at that too.