Distributed by Saban Films, Deep In the Forest has a poster with a very large and looming military figure. The person is holding a machine gun and helicopters fly around in the background. The official synopsis for Deep in the Forest promises a “hold your breath” thriller. These are all lies. The film opens with a strong “live” newscast about dictatorships being on the agenda for a divided nation. The newscast clip is one of the better ones I have seen compared to other low-budget movies that have tried to do the same.

We are introduced to a family that is pointedly politically motivated. I have nothing against films with this kind of agenda, especially when the topic or theme is relevant in some way. In Deep in the Forest, it’s clear that the filmmakers had a lot they wanted to say. However, early on, the dialogue and scripting were so awful, that it was hard to remain invested. Once the cast began talking, within 15 minutes of the runtime I felt like I’d heard enough politically motivated jibber jabber backed by a dramatic made-for-TV score. I did start to ponder whether a drinking game using political hot words would be fun though.

A Movie About American Right and the American Left

Set in the near future, Deep in the Forest takes a Democratic Club and shoves them all in a remote cabin-safe house. Led by the club official Mark (Peter Jason, They Live), who is responsible for trying to save his members. Mark kidnaps the Democratic Club including Nancy and Ethan’s young daughter. His Purge-style rescue even includes a black van and a hood over their heads. Once at the safe house, he explains the military has declared them all criminals and many other groups have been assassinated overnight.

The performances of some of the key cast are actually pretty good. Technically bit part-actors, many will recognize. Husband and wife team Nancy and Ethan are played by Ursula Brooks (Angels and Demons) &, Derwin Jordan (Jason X.) Other supporting casts that come in later like Stuart Pankin who appeared in the classic Arachnophobia, as well as Wendy Worthington who played the lunch lady in Buffy, will give you that “where do I know them from?” line of thought.

However, as mentioned before the dialogue and sometimes odd sequence of events make Deep in the Forest a tedious watch. What stood out the most was the character Amy, who plays Ethan and Nancy’s daughter. At a guess, I would say she was playing an 8 or 9-year-old. There was nothing wrong with her acting, but the lines she had to deliver can pretty much sum up most of the issues within the narrative construct. Just as she announced, she was “perplexed” at one point, and I was too. In another example, she swears during a conversation. Mark asks;

“Do your parents know you swear?” and Amy replies,

“They say it’s ok as long as I use expletatives for emphasis.”
Quote from Deep in the Forest movie

Which Side Are You On?

Deep in the Forest feels like a long stint at a lecture you are not really into. Where everything is said to feel like it’s important but none of it really holds water or matters because there’s really no point in paying attention.

Deep in the Forest is rated

1 knife-wielding hostage out of 5

Mother of Movies score

Director: Jeremy Dylan Lanni
Screenwriter: Jeremy Dylan Lanni
Deep in the Forest Cast: Ursula Brooks, Derwin Jordan, Stuart Pankin, Peter Jason, P.J. Ochlan, Wendy Worthington, Eva Abramian, Will Bradley, Jedidia Dyer, Larry Cedar, Keith Stevenson, Spencer Martin, Cela Scott, Ross Frasier, Duane Johnson, Roger M. Maye

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