Key Takeaways
- Horror movies often use familiar tropes to comfort audiences, but twists on tropes add freshness.
- “The Trip” film offers a new angle on the cabin in the woods trope with a focus on a couple’s secret.
- The uncertainty of the couple’s fate in “The Trip” provides a refreshing and intriguing storyline.
Every genre of storytelling uses tropes, for better or for worse. I’d argue that horror movies need tropes so audiences can find something familiar and comforting in each new film. But some tropes are definitely better than others. The “abandoned hospital” trope is creepy and fun. The “evil elevator” or “eaten alive” tropes aren’t so enjoyable to watch. It’s great that many recent horror movies are embracing twists on tropes and giving audiences something fresh to think about.
It’s always good news when a popular horror movie gets a sequel or even a third film, like the recent announcement of Orphan 3. But I also love hearing about a new horror movie that finds a way to take a classic trope and turn it on its head. There is one upcoming film that does just that, and I’m looking forward to seeing it.
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The Trip Features A Fresh Take On The Cabin In The Woods Trope
Ever since I watched the 2011 horror movie The Cabin in the Woods with its shocking ending, I’ve been a big fan of the “cabin in the woods” trope. I like that this movie turns it on its head. Variety reported that Samara Weaving and Jason Segel are starring in an upcoming horror movie called The Trip, which is about a couple who goes to a cabin on vacation while plotting to murder one another.
This movie sounds impressive for several reasons, from the talented Weaving and Segel to the compelling premise to my favorite horror movie setting. I like that instead of telling another slasher tale about a killer with a mask targeting high schoolers who are on vacation in a wooded area, the story is about a couple who are hiding a massive and dangerous secret from each other. The Trip sounds different and it joins the list of upcoming horror comedy movies that combine anxiety-inducing moments with laughs.
What’s also cool about The Trip remake is it’s impossible to tell what’s going to happen. It’s possible that one of the spouses will succeed in killing the other one, or they will find common ground, stay together, and both survive. There could also be any number of twists before the end credits roll, from another killer hiding in the background to something supernatural. The Trip is being released in a modern golden age of horror and it’s always nice and refreshing when a movie does something different. Smile 2, for example, has a predictable conclusion, but the rest of the story is so fun and riveting that no one minds.
The premise of The Trip is smart because it’s unclear what led to this massive relationship problem, which makes the two main characters mysterious. I’m curious about whether one of them was unfaithful, or they both were, or they’re secretly serial killers and the other one had no idea. I think it was brilliant to combine the cabin in the woods setting with a freaky and intriguing plot. The “rule of scary” trope means that a terrifying film doesn’t have to be logical because fans only want to be scared. While that’s true in some instances, I like that The Trip has an eerie setting and the potential to be truly scary.
A few other details about The Trip have been shared, including some of the other cast members: Juliette Lewis and Timothy Olyphant. Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher wrote the screenplay, which is based on the Norwegian movie I Onde Dager by Tommy Wirkola, who is producing the remake.
What Other Horror Movies Use The Cabin In The Woods Trope?
Besides The Cabin in the Woods, of course, many other horror movies use this famous and beloved trope. In 2002, Cabin Fever, which is about a friend group who gets infected by a scary virus, was released. Other popular movies include the 2009 movie The Strangers as well as The Evil Dead franchise. Whether it’s a slasher or a movie with a paranormal figure, this trope draws audiences in every time. There may be countless fun horror movie settings, from high school or college campuses to small towns and summer camps. But for many, there is nothing like a creepy cabin in a forest. It’s the perfect location since it immediately means the main characters are isolated and far away from help and/or civilization. I’ll watch almost any movie with this trope, even if it’s not the best.While waiting for The Trip to be released, I’m going to rewatch some of these horror movies that feature this great trope. I look forward to seeing how this upcoming film brings it to life.
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