19 reviews
Go on- watch it- you won't have to think a thought for 90min
Lots of twists and turns, Anthony Perkins was great, the love interest was the most unappealing love interest, and the brother and sister are Folgers Coffee level of closeness, but it was a nice way to kill a rainy afternoon.
- Renarchy426
- Mar 1, 2022
- Permalink
You Killed Margo!
Fun for looking back at the 90s
I don't watch 90s movies often, i'm more of an 80s and 70s kind of gal myself, but this was a nice change of pace. Rosanne Arquette is gorgeous and so perfectly 90s, and Anthony Perkins is amazing as always. Not bad for a TV movie but extremely formulaic in the way that Tobe Hooper's Toolbox Murders was. And enjoyable in the same way that one was too. There are a lot of plot holes however, and it's very melodramatic. The stupid argument with the boyfriend just made me livid with how unrealistic and petty it was.
A good thing was the outfits. But is that really to their credit? They just dressed like they were from 1992. They were. It's only enjoyable in retrospect. Another thing was the soundtrack- at times. It wasn't great all the way through but at times it surpassed the general mediocrity.
For a TV movie though, surprisingly not bad. Overall fun to watch.
- nick121235
- Nov 25, 2020
- Permalink
Surprisingly Well Done and Suspenseful Thriller
I saw "In The Deep Woods" yesterday on the Lifetime Movie Network. I expected an entertaining, but formulaic movie (i.e. the typical woman in jeopardy type of thing that Lifetime often shows), but this film, which depicts the story of a serial killer who preys upon successful young women and leaves their bodies in the deep woods, is well acted, well crafted, and keeps you guessing until the very end. It is a dark movie, very atmospheric and almost noir-ish, and reminded me somewhat of the 80's classic, the Jagged Edge.
Rosanna Arquette turns in a solid performance and it made me wish we had the opportunity to see her act more often in challenging roles. Anthony Perkins, probably in one of his last film roles, is also very effective as a mystery man on a mission who is investigating the deaths of the victims for his own reasons.
In summary, it's chilling and involving and much better than most films of this genre. A good film for a snowy Sunday or even better, for one of those nights when you just can't get to sleep.
Rosanna Arquette turns in a solid performance and it made me wish we had the opportunity to see her act more often in challenging roles. Anthony Perkins, probably in one of his last film roles, is also very effective as a mystery man on a mission who is investigating the deaths of the victims for his own reasons.
In summary, it's chilling and involving and much better than most films of this genre. A good film for a snowy Sunday or even better, for one of those nights when you just can't get to sleep.
- j-e-klamut
- Dec 29, 2004
- Permalink
More "red herrings" than a fish market .........
Rosanna Arquette finds herself in the thick of a serial killer investigation, when one of her friends turns up a victim. This not always believable murder investigation turns up one suspect after another, all of which are rather tenuous in the motive and logic department. "In the Deep Woods" seems like it was written to try for some record in the number of "red herrings" that could be stuffed into the rather shallow story. Rosanna Arquette and Anthony Perkins do what they can with some very slight material, and everyone else is quite forgettable., More than a few plot holes develop along the way to what seems like a forced conclusion. - MERK
- merklekranz
- Aug 15, 2010
- Permalink
Poor but compelling
Can you pick it?
Back to back, from one decent TV thriller ('Through the Eyes of a Killer') to somewhat another. Yeah somewhat. I'm kind of lukewarm on it. 'In the Deep Woods' had the ingredients for a tight, relentless and interesting thriller, but director Charles Correll's sinuously pedestrian handling and Robert Nathan and Robert Rosenblum's material (adapted from Nicholas Conde's novel) piles on the red herrings and all too convenient developments. By being a knotty plot, it keeps you off balance and never strikes me as predictable. It's just hard to believe some incidents, as some things that occur just had me thinking "Oh, why?". Everything seems to move at a snail's pace, but you stay with it because you want to know how it'll pan out. There's a few effective suspenseful sequences and a very dreary tone streaming through it, but there's just too many generic and replicate patterns. Its well shot, edited and leanly scored. This would be Anthony Perkins last role, and it's a blank performance (just think of his failing condition), but his stable presence eventually wins out. The perky Patricia Arquette is suitably fine in the heroine role. As for Will Patton, he looks lost at sea with his character.
- lost-in-limbo
- May 9, 2008
- Permalink
I was Anthony Perkins body double on this show
I was lucky to have been Anthony Perkins body double on this film.
With the opportunity to meet Rosanna Arquette and Bill Patton. Though I ended up working 15 years in TV and film this was the first movie I have ever had the opportunity to work on. Security brought Mr. Perkins original jacket from "psycho" out for me to wear throughout the movie. I was honored with the opportunity. During filming Mr. Perkins would have me sit off screen next to the camera and he would perform all of his dialogue to me without the assistance of the actors. This I found amazing for no one else have this ability. Mr. Perkins was very supportive in assisting me to further my career with voice lessons etc. The the egotistical producer allowed me to do all of the murders throughout the movie including my acting coach in the grocery parking lot. I ended up becoming friends with Todd Amateau who was in charge of wardrobe on the show. He later became a production manager for Stu Segall productions where I continued my 15 years of TV and film career until I was run over by a pickup truck outside of the studio just after 9/11. The though I died for a brief period of time when I flew to the air I went down the "tunnel of light" so many speak of and was given the opportunity to meet my son and wife before I had been married and before he had been born. I was revived and able to continue my career and retired shortly thereafter up on the mountain that I saw in my tunnel of light vision up on the ranch that our family now owns. Life is a gift, make the best of it.
With the opportunity to meet Rosanna Arquette and Bill Patton. Though I ended up working 15 years in TV and film this was the first movie I have ever had the opportunity to work on. Security brought Mr. Perkins original jacket from "psycho" out for me to wear throughout the movie. I was honored with the opportunity. During filming Mr. Perkins would have me sit off screen next to the camera and he would perform all of his dialogue to me without the assistance of the actors. This I found amazing for no one else have this ability. Mr. Perkins was very supportive in assisting me to further my career with voice lessons etc. The the egotistical producer allowed me to do all of the murders throughout the movie including my acting coach in the grocery parking lot. I ended up becoming friends with Todd Amateau who was in charge of wardrobe on the show. He later became a production manager for Stu Segall productions where I continued my 15 years of TV and film career until I was run over by a pickup truck outside of the studio just after 9/11. The though I died for a brief period of time when I flew to the air I went down the "tunnel of light" so many speak of and was given the opportunity to meet my son and wife before I had been married and before he had been born. I was revived and able to continue my career and retired shortly thereafter up on the mountain that I saw in my tunnel of light vision up on the ranch that our family now owns. Life is a gift, make the best of it.
- jondoeinfowars
- Oct 24, 2016
- Permalink
Not the Best Lifetime Thriller
- tiffanytallent1981
- Jun 21, 2021
- Permalink
I got through it so I guess it's okay.
- mark.waltz
- Dec 16, 2021
- Permalink
Overacting (except for Mr Perkins)
I'm sorry but rosanna overacts and is unbelievable. Somewhat entertaining as a whodunnit but predictable. Thank goodness for Mr Patton and Perkins who at least held up the story somewhat.
Better than I expected
I watched this solely to see Anthony Perkins in his last role. Luckily, Perkins was able to play a character with some psychological depth. Besides Perkins, the other actors are good too (I especially liked the performances of Rosanna Arquette and D. W. Moffett). This film was certainly better than I expected, with a neat mystery and some eerie moments. One scene I particularly enjoyed was a scene of panic where Arquette runs outside into the pouring rain at night. That scene reminded me of Akira Kurosawa's predilection for using extreme weather as a way to heighten the emotions. Perhaps this film isn't a classic, but it is good.
A below average thriller
- miss_toucan
- Jan 15, 2022
- Permalink
Stupid (has spoilers, but you can't spoil this garbage!)
Lame
I'm a fan of Anthony Perkins and I watched this movie. It was a decent movie until Rosanna does her over the top hysterics and she does that ALOT in this movie. I got to the point where I really wished that the serial killer would eliminate her. It might have improved the movie. Altogether it might be an OK rainy afternoon time killer; however, I most definitely will not be adding this to my list of movies to watch again at a later date. It was predictable, pedantic, and might have been a decent movie if they had used an actress who would have been more believable in the part. The script was decent until the end when it completely unraveled as they were trying to tie up the loose threads to explain why it had all happened.
- jenny-72526
- Jun 14, 2023
- Permalink
Meandering psychological thriller
In the Deep Woods is a meandering psychological thriller regarding a serial killer. It wanders over the many red herrings and possibilities to the extent that the plot becomes pointless. When the resolution finally comes, the thrill is long gone from the movie. And even though it meandering, it felt contained at the same time. So dissatisfaction is had all the way around it.
Rosanna Arquette is sufficient in the role as the lead, but her histrionic expression starts to wear by the second half. Anthony Perkins (in his last film) brings a decent intensity to his character, but his motivation is minute to the nature of the plot points for his character. It's almost as if he's too good an actor for this film. The rest of the cast are adequate, but at times, they can go too far into stereotypical behaviors.
The film starts out with enough tension to carry a TV or cable film. Unfortunately, it peters out into dulled plodding step by step plot points. I yawned at the end, and was frustrated by the lack of closure to the characters after the killer was identified.
Rosanna Arquette is sufficient in the role as the lead, but her histrionic expression starts to wear by the second half. Anthony Perkins (in his last film) brings a decent intensity to his character, but his motivation is minute to the nature of the plot points for his character. It's almost as if he's too good an actor for this film. The rest of the cast are adequate, but at times, they can go too far into stereotypical behaviors.
The film starts out with enough tension to carry a TV or cable film. Unfortunately, it peters out into dulled plodding step by step plot points. I yawned at the end, and was frustrated by the lack of closure to the characters after the killer was identified.
- jmbovan-47-160173
- May 31, 2024
- Permalink
A Compelling Mystery
With a cast of famed stars notorious for playing famous deranged killers from other films (D.W. Moffett from Lisa, Anthony Perkins from Psycho, and Will Patton from Desperately Seeking Susan among the four possible culprits) it was difficult to figure out who the serial killer was in this darkening twisty mystery. The film peaks your interest from the start and takes you into a spinning world of red herrings that make the killer's motives more convoluted and impossible to uncover.
Writing Quality: The plot is smart, fast, and original with a mystery that just continues to deepen. Each of the four possible suspects seems equally guilty, prompting us to hone our investigative skills as every murder appears to follow no particular pattern. This is the best acting I've seen from Rosanna Arquette, who plays Joanna, the main character; she really holds her own in spite of everything that gets thrown at her as she tries to solve this strange, disturbing mystery. She handles the varying emotions well as she is forced to confront the truth every intrepid step of the way.
Scare Factor: The tone of the film draws upon mystery more than terror. The scary scenes occur only briefly when we get the camera's perspective as the killer approaches his victims. Death scenes are not shown, but we hear the women scream.
Content (sex, language & violence): One scene shows a man and woman kissing, but nothing else shown. No language. Violence suggested, but not shown. Mild violence in the finale.
Values: Values are strong as Joanna and many others seek the truth.
Out of the Woods
How sad and tragic that this terrible movie should be Anthony Perkins' last performance on screen. His body of work was so good in the early days, even prior to PSYCHO. He is wasted in this by appearing in and out of the movie as a stranger you're not quite sure what he is. The men fare better than the women in this. Christopher Rydell, son of director Mark Rydell (ON GOLDEN POND)he gives an interesting performance. D W Moffett (AN EARLY FROST) also is on deck as the boy friend. We never do know what ever happens to him. He sort of disappears along the way. In fact this is most confusing and changes course every few minutes. No need to figure it out. It's pretty predictable. Only salvation is watching the men mentioned earlier in this review. They are always worth watching. Then there's the leading lady, played by Rosanna Arquette. She screams good. But that's about all. Not a fan of hers, she plays the role as I said going around pouting and screaming. Don't wast your pennies on this one.
- guilfisher-1
- Mar 9, 2007
- Permalink
whodunit