The Haunted Forest

Among the many horror films inspired by the American holiday of Halloween, The Haunted Forest, directed by Keith Boynton, stands out as a film that dares to position itself between the traditions of the genre and intimate character exploration, with varying degrees of success. Premiered at FrightFest, the British international festival dedicated to horror and thriller films, this film intrigues viewers with the fact that it was shot in the famous haunted Markoff Forest in Maryland. This decision alone gives the film an authenticity that immediately guarantees a level of production quality that many independent horror films can only dream of. However, what makes the film remarkable is not only its setting, but the way it attempts to blend adult sensibilities with the mechanics of a whodunnit set in a scary attraction.

At the center of the story is Zach, played by Grayson Gwaze, a high school student whose obsession with horror movies is both his passion and his escape from the difficulties of adolescence. He is portrayed as a dreamer who sketches his own macabre stories in notebooks, an outsider caught between the world of imagination and the harsh reality of adolescence. When his cousin Mark, played with warmth and conviction by Cedric Gegel, offers him a job as a scary actor in his Halloween attraction, it seems like the perfect opportunity: a chance to live out the stories he worships. But when an accident involving one of the employees hints at a darker, more sinister threat, Zach finds himself in a situation where the line between fictional scares and real horror becomes blurred and uncomfortable. The script is inspired by a well-known urban legend about corpses mistaken for Halloween props, and although the film never fully exploits this idea, it remains an intelligent and disturbing starting point.

What anchors the film beyond its central mystery is its thematic insistence on exploring the contrast between youthful enthusiasm and the weight of mortality. Seeing Zach confronted with the dead around him becomes as much about the loss of his innocence as it is about solving the murders. Grayson Gwaze handles this plot with sensitivity, carrying the film with a realistic and believable performance. Cedric Gegel, meanwhile, emerges as the emotional glue, his portrayal of Mark lending credibility to a character who must balance his role as mentor with the growing terror of the danger threatening his attraction. The supporting cast, such as Kaitlyn Lunardi as Sarah and Meghan Reed as Carly, offer a brief but effective glimpse into the evolution of Zach's world, while Tristen Raughton's brief appearance as “Stinky Steve” adds a welcome touch of lightheartedness.

Technically, The Haunted Forest is well made, thanks in large part to cinematographer Aitor Mendilibar, whose crisp, clear lighting choices allow the nighttime setting to shine without succumbing to the frustrating darkness that plagues so many low-budget horror films. There's a real pleasure in simply wandering through the attraction through his lens, which captures the carefully crafted sets of Markoff's haunted forest in a way that will delight horror fans. The film knows the power of its location and makes sure to exploit it, turning the amusement park into a character in its own right.

Despite all its qualities, the film suffers from uneven pacing and tone. While the dark atmosphere and low-key approach give it a certain maturity, there are long stretches where the tension slackens. The central mystery, unfortunately, is revealed with a predictability that undermines its stakes. Viewers familiar with the conventions of slasher films will probably identify the culprit and their journey long before the characters do, which reduces the impact of what should have been gripping twists. The script tackles broader and heavier themes, such as historical guilt over the genocide of Native Americans, but these threads are introduced and then left untouched. Similarly, a subplot hinting at Zach's mother's potential illness hints at emotional depth, but it never matures into something that could really resonate.

There are still some very successful moments. One remarkable sequence shows a group of obnoxious influencers invited to a private tour, and the film revels in turning their superficial obsession with content creation into a setting ripe for horrific consequences. It's the kind of incisive cultural commentary that horror does so well when it dares to mix satire and spectacle, and it brings an energy that the film could have used more consistently. Similarly, some of the kills, while not pushing the boundaries, are inventive enough to satisfy fans of the genre looking for some concrete scares amid a heavy atmosphere.

The Haunted Forest is a film that seems caught between two impulses: to be a traditional horror film set in a delightfully disturbing location, and to be a quiet, thoughtful drama about a teenager coming of age and realizing the fragility of life. It doesn't fully commit to either path and, in doing so, risks leaving audiences wanting more. But even if it lacks narrative momentum and thematic depth, it remains a competent and often visually striking work. For young horror fans, especially those new to the genre, it could well be an accessible entry point. Seasoned viewers will likely remember the story less than the atmosphere and the sincere performances of Grayson Gwaze and Cedric Gegel.

The film remains a curiosity, a reminder of the rich potential of scary attractions as a cinematic backdrop, but also of the difficulty of capturing the intangible thrill of Halloween on screen. Like a walk through a haunted maze, the film offers flashes of fear, moments of wonder, and a few cathartic laughs. But when the fog clears, it's the settings rather than the story that linger in the memory.

The Haunted Forest
Written and directed by Keith Boynton
Produced by Cassie D'Agostino, Mashka Wolfe
Starring Grayson Gwaze, Cedric Gegel, Kaitlyn Lunardi, Meghan Reed, Jamie Bernadette, Keith Boynton, Myles Hamilton, Mashka Wolfe
Cinematography: Aitor Mendilibar
Edited by Jon Corres
Music by William Clarke
Production companies: Sane Lake Pictures
Release dates: TBD
Running time: 93 minutes

Seen on August 20, 2025 (Frightfest press screener)

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