I’ve been a huge fan of the actor Vincent D’Onofrio since I first saw him in Full Metal Jacket. His portrayal of Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence was, in my opinion, the highlight of the film. He was completely convincing as a bumbling, oblivious young man who becomes utterly unhinged during basic training (with unnerving results). He went on to prove his Horror chops as sick psycho Carl Stargher in 2000’s The Cell. Yeah, I know that most people these days only see Vincent as that guy from Law and Order: Criminal Intent, but to me, he’s a talented thespian with a real knack for playing unsettling, unpredictable characters.
Tribeca Films has announced that Vincent D’Onofrio’s directorial début, Don’t Go in the Woods will receive a limited theatrical release in January. Saucy Josh is super thrilled that Vincent made a Horror movie. But also—terrified to hear this film described as a “musical/horror hybrid”. WTF?
Synopsis, trailer, and cool poster after the jump…
‘Don’t Go in the Woods’ is sound advice, especially when there’s a killer on the loose. First-time director Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) explores love, greed and ruthlessness in this twisted musical/horror hybrid, telling the story of a young band who heads to the woods to get away from their everyday lives in order to focus on writing new songs. Hoping to walk away from the trip with new tunes that will score them their big break, they instead find themselves in the middle of a nightmare beyond comprehension.
Let me say first that this film, based on the trailer, looks solid. Certainly not an original concept, Don’t Go in the Woods nonetheless looks poised to stand proud alongside other subgenre greats like Cabin Fever, and Evil Dead.
The idea of a band looking for an off-the-grid bonding session is also solid, a believable situation, and something that I can personally relate too. And as an astute aficionado, I suspect there’s more going on than some random “killer on the loose”. A disgruntled band member, a scorned lover, someone’s split personality or alter-ego: All possibilities.
So you got a band with all their instruments camping out in the woods. Of course you expect some scenes of rockin’ around fire. Nothing wrong with that. I might not have even thought twice about this story-point if not for the description of Don’t Go in the Woods as a “musical/horror hybrid”. Yikes! I’m an open minded Horror fan, but the idea of a musical hybrid just sounds terrible!
So I don’t know what to expect. A Horror Comedy with elements of Flight of the Conchords? God I hope not. I have a vision of an inevitable flood of Broadway Musicals based on beloved Horror movies. Nothing good can come of this.
Prove me wrong Vincent. I seriously hope you will.
Saucy Josh writes a blog for intelligent Horror Movie aficionados called Blood and Guts for Grown Ups: https://bloodandgutsforgrownups.wordpress.com/