Ahhh, it was so easy to make a horror movie during the early 2000s. All you had to do was find a couple of inbred mutants and pit them against our group of cool-looking young adults. Wrong Turn is a classic horror movie featuring a familiar story but also an engaging atmosphere and great production values. This is a movie that’s easy to watch and follow. And on top of that, it’s also quite bloody, resorting to delicious practical effects and forgoing the dreaded CGI. I remember watching this movie when it first came out and simply loving it.
It had this refreshing vibe and it felt like we were entering a new era when it comes to horror movies. And when they first stepped into the house of horrors, I was on the edge of my seat. Well, on the edge of my bed, if we’re being honest but you know what I mean. The movie was taking everything seriously and so were the actors, creating this unnerving and intense atmosphere. An atmosphere that just sort of sucks you into this strange and horrifying world where shit like this happens.
As I already mentioned a couple of times in my previous movie recommendations, Wrong Turn belongs to this new-century/new wave of horror movies. Jeepers Creepers, Darkness Falls, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), Saw, Ghost Ship, and Hostel are just some examples. Although the 2006 remake of Wes Craven’s classic The Hills Have Eyes is probably the best example as it also features inbred mutants.
It’s fascinating to think that these movies show them as extremely dangerous when in reality they’re pretty much harmless. Moreover, their background, the conditions they live in, and everything else is just so sad and heartbreaking. However, you did not come here to think about those things but to find good horror movies to watch. And I assure you that despite its stereotypical nature, Wrong Turn is a movie worth watching. After all, it spawned two more sequels of inferior quality. And then there are the rumors of the fourth one. I guess they’re going to milk this one dry.
Sometimes shit just happens. And no one knows this better than poor Chris Flynn who was trying to get to a job interview but then shit happened. A chemical spill now blocks the road he was supposed to take so he decides to take a detour. What he doesn’t know yet is that an even bigger shit is waiting for him around the corner. Him and the people whose lives he’s going to alter forever in just a few minutes.
With a runtime of just under eighty minutes and excellent pacing, Wrong Turn is a horror movie that’s going to gain and keep your attention. You can actually use the stereotypical structure and even more stereotypical characters to make fun of it. Classic horror movie games of who’s going to die first, in what way, and whether will there be boobies are all on as well.
When it comes to the cast of Wrong Turn, Desmond Harrington and Eliza Dushku were the true power couple with the rest doing a solid job as well. Dushku even did most of her own stunts. However, Jeremy Sisto as Scott stole the show for me with his believable and committed performance. Although I related most with his character as the decision he was making were all pretty sound and reasonable. At least for a slasher movie.
Director: Rob Schmidt
Writer: Alan B. McElroy
Cast: Desmond Harrington, Eliza Dushku, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Jeremy Sisto, Kevin Zegers
Fun Facts: The practical and make-up effects along with the design of the all three inbred mutants, were done by the master himself, Stan Winston. He’s best known for his work on such movies as Aliens, Predator, The Thing, and Terminator.
Rating:
IMDb Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0295700/
