The horror genre has become its own joke over the past few years. Cheesy movies like Prom Night and My Blood Valentine are full of horror movie clichés that have ruined the genre for many fans. A unique horror film is a rare occurrence these days, as the genre becomes more and more formulaic. The most recent work of Joss Whedon, The Cabin in the Woods revitalizes a genre that truly needs it.

The plot in this movie is fascinating. The only thing moviegoers need to know is that the story surrounds a cabin… in the woods. That is all. One of the biggest draws of the movie is its unique storyline and constant plot twists, so interested fans should do themselves a favor and avoid any available trailers or plot summaries. This movie shines brightest when fans have no background regarding the storyline. Just know that the last 30 minutes of the film are some of the most brutally awesome that viewers will ever see.

The acting in the movie is what fans should expect for a horror film. The film’s draws involve the story and the actual horror elements within it, rather than the acting. That being said, moviegoers should recognize Chris Hemsworth (Thor) as the stereotypical jock character and will definitely enjoy the stoner comic relief character, portrayed by Fran Kranz. While on the subject of comic relief, it’s worth noting that this movie is not a standard run-of-the-mill horror film. It is full of jokes and parodies of traditional horror elements that seem to poke fun at the ridiculously cliché genre horror has become.

Overall, The Cabin in the Woods is a truly refreshing movie. It pokes fun at a genre that has begun to take itself too seriously by blatantly mocking the modern horror formula. Any self-respecting horror fan that yearns for something fresh and original will find much enjoyment in this film. Moviegoers that expect a genre-changing movie that will alter the fan expectation of horror movies in the future will be satisfied with The Cabin in the Woods. This film will hopefully help the horror genre find its way out of “the woods.”