The Cabin in the Woods
Clever but very bloody deconstruction of horror movies.
Parents say
Based on 13 reviews
Kids say
Based on 71 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Cabin in the Woods
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Cabin in the Woods is a very-self aware, sometimes tongue-in-cheek horror movie (like Scream or Tucker and Dale vs. Evil). It starts out as a typical "carload of teens goes to spend the weekend in the country" scary movie, but then it adds some sinister twists. Throughout the whole thing, you can expect tons of violence, gore, and blood, though it stops short of "torture porn" (a la the Saw and Hostel movies). Language is also very strong (including "f--k," "s--t," and more), as is sexuality -- there's one topless scene, plus heavy sexual banter and behavior. One teen is a regular pot smoker, and other teens -- as well as adults -- drink beer, tequila, and more. Writer Joss Whedon has legions of devoted fans, many of them teens, but The Cabin in the Woods is really too much for any but the most mature teens.
Community Reviews
Very misunderstood movie
Report this review
Phenomenal Horror Satire is Fine for Older Teens
Report this review
What's the Story?
In THE CABIN IN TEH WOODS, agroup of college kids --including hunky Curt (Chris Hemsworth) -- piles into an RV and heads for a cabin in the woods for a fun, blow-out weekend of swimming, sex, drinking, and smoking pot. At the same time, a couple of scientist/engineer types (Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford) check into a control room and start monitoring the teens. After a while, the teens stumble upon a cellar full of strange objects. The virginal Dana (Kristen Connolly) begins reading from an old diary and apparently awakens a family of zombies. The teens begin to realize that something is amiss, but can they withstand the homicidal zombies long enough to find out?
Is It Any Good?
Veteran writer Joss Whedon and first-time director Drew Goddard deconstruct the horror genre like never before with this film. Their effort isn't unlike Scream or Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, but it's a great deal more spectacular. It begins very similarly to movies like The Evil Dead, Creature, and Shark Night, but before it grows stale, The Cabin in the Woods starts dropping hints that it's no ordinary horror movie. It keeps the mystery up until the final blow-out reel, where it probably gives away a bit too much. But by that time, it has wildly succeeded.
Goddard gets fun performances from the cast, especially Jenkins and Whitford, who chat playfully without disclosing too much vital information. The Cabin in the Woods also makes the most of its cross between horror and humor, between the dark, dank cabin and the white, clinical control room. Where the movie arguably falls short is in its scare factor; it's not particularly frightening, though it is very clever and very entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what point The Cabin in the Woods is making. Is the message purely cynical and sinister, or does it have anything positive to say? Does it help to have seen a lot of horror movies in order to "get" this one?
Could the movie succeed without its extreme violence?
Is The Cabin in the Woods scary? Does it succeed as a horror movie, as well as a commentary on other horror movies?
Are any of these characters admirable in any way? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 13, 2012
- On DVD or streaming: September 18, 2012
- Cast: Bradley Whitford, Chris Hemsworth, Richard Jenkins
- Director: Drew Goddard
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Horror
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong bloody horror violence and gore, language, drug use and some sexuality/nudity
- Last updated: January 27, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Scream
Teen slasher parody has strong violence and language.
-
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Clever horror-comedy has decent message underneath gore.
-
Zombieland
Horror-comedy hybrid is gory, crude ... and not for kids.
-
The Innkeepers
Well-crafted haunted hotel movie has drinking, some gore.
For kids who love scares
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate