Everyone knows the basic horror story setting: a group of  naive teenagers, alone for the weekend with no idea how to survive a mass murderer. Movies use this technique again and again, but what happens when the cliches are slashed?

Released in 2012, “Cabin in the Woods” focuses on five college students traveling to a cabin for a weekend of basic teenage mischief. A game of truth or dare quickly turns into a horror show as they discover a hidden basement within their cabin, unknowingly setting off an ancient ritual manipulated by two technicians underground.

The film stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams as the cliche college students. Throughout the movie Fran Kranz and Kristen Connolly steal the spotlight and do a phenomenal job in playing the heroes, but the cast as a whole really fit their characters.

What really struck me was the different creatures and monsters that make appearances in the movie, separating this movie from cliche slasher films. The costumes range from mermen to zombies to a man with razor blades in his head. The special effects are astounding and the music builds suspension until the jump scare gets the watcher.   

I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys thrillers, horror and action movies. Anyone who cannot handle gore should not watch the movie as some scenes  are gruesome, as most slasher films are, hence it being rated R. “Cabin in the Woods” is devilishly good and I would personally rate the film a five out five stars.