“Breaking diversity barriers in Hollywood with its multicultural cast and filmmakers,”
MURDER IN THE WOODS has been slashing its way through drive ins and theaters while picking up awards along the way. Directed and produced by Mexican filmmaker Luis Iga Garza (The Call) and written and produced by Yelyna De León (Will and Grace, A Better Life), this thriller stars an “exclusively multicultural cast in non-stereotypical roles.”
We introduced this Mexican-American horror movie to a subject with a fear of camping and the woods in general. She was strapped to a heart monitor as we recorded her physiological effects while viewing the film. Find out if her vitals withstood the chilling mysteries that lie waiting for her in the woods.
SYNOPSIS:
Soon after arriving to a mysterious cabin in the woods, a group of teens discover the dark secret it holds, which forces them to fight for their lives.
Watch the trailer below:
Test Subject: Leah
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Fears: Hylophobia (Fear of the woods)
Resting HR: 60-65bpm
Walking HR: 80-85bpm
ANALYSIS:
It only took three minutes to record a brief spike in our subject’s heart rate during a suspenseful scene filled with a healthy amount of gore. After another scary incident our subject’s heart rate began to climb during a slow buildup which created an enormous amount of anxiety. She gripped a pillow tight to her chin as her pulse quickened to her peak 85bpm. Jumpscares, or jolts began to pile up throughout the second half of the film. These shocking moments maintained our subject’s numbers above 70bpm, never letting them drop to her resting average of 60-65bpm until the credits. Most importantly, as the film progressed, the actors grew more comfortable in their roles which allowed our subject to empathize with their characters. When this happens, it tends to keep the heart rate more elevated. As the finale approached and mysteries were revealed, our subject began to relax. But it was an exuberant cheer from our viewer that gave us one final spike.
CONCLUSION:
Murder in the Woods is a sexy slasher ripe for a date worthy watch at your local drive-in. The film creates a low budget feel capable of producing big box office tension. Fans of horror will find familiar scenes and predictable plot points but the quick pacing and gore should entertain the hearts of even the most critical junkies. So take a shot of tequila and enjoy the party knowing that the calories will be up in flames before the burn hits the back of your throat.
MURDER IN THE WOODS arrived in drive-ins and theaters nationwide on August 14, 2020, with a Digital and Video on Demand release slated for September 18, 2020.
Murder in the Woods: Burns an average of 154 Calories
1.5oz shot of Tequila: 98 Calories
How many Fear Calories did you burn watching Murder in the Woods? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
