Trailer Tuesday: Creepy Cabin

A few short weeks ago, film fans could be forgiven for their lack of familiarity with The Cabin in the Woods. Made in 2009 by writer/director Drew Goddard (Cloverfield) and his co-scribe and producer Joss Whedon (The Avengers), the project fell victim to the bankruptcy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, resulting in delays in releasing that have now stemmed three years. However, Lionsgate Entertainment stepped in to save the day, with the feature due in cinemas in 2012. Accordingly, promotional content – including a poster and trailer – has emerged, shedding light on this otherwise overlooked effort.

Whilst the collaboration of the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel alum Goddard and Whedon is cause for excitement, as is the cast that includes fellow Whedon-verse players Amy Acker, Tom Lenk and Fran Kranz alongside Richard Jenkins (Let Me In), Bradley Whitford (TV’s The West Wing) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor), so too is the genre that the film inhabits. For decades, features have pondered the consequences of visiting creepy cabins, with many horror efforts exploring the very topic. The aptly titled The Cabin and Cabin by the Lake are among the offerings, along with modern classics Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp. In their marketing material as well as in the movies themselves, each shares a spate of traits, as the below previews demonstrate.

The Cabin in the Woods

The trailer for The Cabin in the Woods typifies the creepy cabin formula, commencing as a group of attractive friends set off in search of a relaxing break. Their carefree attitude soon turns to caution as their destination shows distressing signs, with something clearly not right. Cue a montage of frightful acts and fearful reactions, as the cast fight for their lives. Thankfully, the film itself appears to have a sci-fi twist, even if the preview does not.

Cabin Fever

Another Lionsgate offering, Cabin Fever marked the debut of Hostel director Eli Roth. With the film adding an infectious disease to the mix, the teaser skips the typical onset sequence, heading straight to scenes contentment – and the subsequent destruction of such. The usual frenzy eventuates, pushing the gang to the edge. As intimated by the film’s title, the resulting onslaught is feverish, with the source coming from within.

Evil Dead

For most, Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead is the epitome of creepy cabin offerings, with the film still conjuring a frightful feast of imagery nearly three decades after its original release. The trailer too incites anxiety, commencing with a recorded tape espousing fears of dark shadows moving in the woods. After an establishing shot of the cabin, the horror begins. Possession and dismemberment plague the visiting inhabitants – including the iconic Bruce Campbell as Ash – as the terror conjured by the Necronomicon is unleashed.

Tucker And Dale vs Evil

The opening scenes of the trailer for Tucker And Dale Vs Evil are carefully crafted to follow the expected pattern, as the requisite posse of pals head to the back hills for a holiday. However, it soon becomes apparent that the preview – and the film itself – subverts the stereotype, using the formulaic beginning to enunciate its difference. Indeed, Eli Craig’s effort is a horror comedy, satirising the genre. Adhering to the conventions by way of parody, it provides a playful appropriation of the oeuvre.

Baghead

In perhaps the only instance of mumblecore meeting creepy cabin content, Jay and Mark Duplass’ Baghead sends four struggling actors into the woods to write a screenplay about a murderous, bag-wearing villain. Intercutting their arrival with the discussion of the concept, the trailer soon shows their idea becoming a reality, with the preview conforming – in its own alternative way – to the standard slasher prototype.

Antichrist

Lars von Trier’s Antichrist is amongst the most polarising of his efforts, an achievement which – given his cinematic resume – is no mean feat. Some love it, some hate, however regardless of preference the story of a married couple retreating to the woods to overcome their grief for their child is intriguing. As is the trailer, which artfully toys with the film’s combination of horror and drama. However, all the usual elements are accounted for, including the entrance, the peace, and the inevitable disturbance.