6/10
Nothing new, but really not bad
23 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Once I read the synopsis, I had an inkling we were in for another The Strangers or other home invasion movie. I wasn't wrong. I don't think this movie brought anything new, but it was still fun to watch anyway.

Starts out almost textbook, couple drives to the woods for some occasion. Perhaps at one point you might think they're part of the "group" but that fades in favor of the knowledge of their fate....to be the teaser victims before we're introduced to the main antagonists. Other than the dancer, I couldn't stand them and was really hoping for their come-uppance.

I actually hated how unsatisfying the movie leaves you. You're hoping the couple they plan to kill has something up their sleeves (think You're Next) or a better defense for themselves that we don't see coming. Nope, instead we get bumbling idiots, including the guy who can chop wood with an axe (only in his 50's) but can't overpower a puny teen with a knife. Then i was rooting for the wife, but her bumbling was worse. How long does it take to sift through a box? Seemed as if she was folding her nice dinner napkins while trying to locate the one weapon that could save her.

The more I write about this, the more I'm rethinking my rating. Then dancer decides all of a sudden she's grown a conscience because she receives a text from her new love interest as she's trying to kill the woman. And she was able to get up pretty well after being whacked with a tiny sledgehammer.

But then it moves to that girl's house where, after she's been shot, the others decide to stage a robbery that led to her getting shot. But, earlier on you were briefly introduced to her parents and they seemed a bit off. Given that this detail appeared relevant at the time (even the other girl mentions the parents being weird), I was thinking this was going to be the twist. Nope, bumbling idiots.

The movie ends with no satisfaction and the worst of the bunch getting away with it. There's not even a kicker where some small piece of evidence was last minute discovered....pissed me off.

However, I was glued to the movie from start to finish and I didn't get bored and I did fully enjoy it in spite of the flaws.

I know I just spent time saying how frustrating it is, but that's ok. It made me feel the way the filmmakers intended.... sometimes they get away with it....and that's it.

If you like home invasion movies or movies where the main characters are the villains, then you'll enjoy it. It's not a bad movie. Give it a whirl.
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