When skipping between a missing person’s mystery and supernatural horror, certain problems can arise. For one thing, the film doesn’t need to be creepy to sink the hook into us. Therefore, The Forest unlocks the potential for novelty, yet misses the crucial punchline on both arteries. 

Meanwhile, Natalie Dormer must carry the weight of two performances here. She plays identical twins Sara and Jess. They can only be distinguished by hair colour, the former being blonde and the latter a brunette. It’s a treacherous balancing act to master. As such, Sara’s search for her lost sister runs into a few brambles and deadfalls.

Now the central problem has little to do with Dormer. She’s a strong actress, able to transcend the many limitations in the script by Nick Antosca, Sarah Cornwell and Ben Ketai. In fact, the moment where she talks about sensing her kin’s presence proves deeply emotional. This inner drive empowers Dormer to channel an unseen thought process, and she does so perfectly.

While the journey adds some predictable jump scares, the premise peaks too soon. Thus, The Forest attempts to entertain beyond the norm… only to cave. (Capsule review)

(Released by Gramercy Pictures and rated “PG-13” for disturbing thematic content and images.)