The Haunted Forest (2025) FrightFest 2025 Movie Review

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The Haunted Forest – FrightFest 2025 Movie Review

First Reaction – The Haunted Forest has a chilling reflection on the scare attractions appeal.

Director: Keith Boynton

Writer: Keith Boynton (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Grayson Gwaze (Neighborhood Watch)
  • Cedric Gegel
  • Kaitlyn Lunardi
  • Meghan Reed
  • Jamie Bernadette (The Furnace)

Storyline: A teenager nearing graduation from high school lands his first job as a scare actor at Markoff’s Haunted Forest. He forms bonds with the group responsible for running the Halloween event, but after one of them meets an unfortunate and sudden demise on the premises, he starts to ponder about his strange fixation with death and the grotesque.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

The Enchanted Forest Begins

The narrative commences with Zach, affectionately known as Gwaze, securing his initial position as a fright-provoking actor within the thrilling Enchanted Forest amusement park. He relishes this role and derives immense pleasure from instilling terror in the visitors of the attraction, making every day at work an entertaining adventure.

In such a scenario, when an employee passes away at work, there’s often uncertainty about the next steps. Despite this, Zach attempts to carry on, yet the business experiences a significant surge in growth following the news of a genuine fatality.

Verdict on The Haunted Forest

Recap

The film centers around a college student who lands a role as a fright actor at a Halloween-themed attraction. Tragically, one of the employees passes away, causing the event to gain immense popularity. However, strange occurrences hinting at something darker start unfolding on the premises.

Best Parts

The film portrays the surge of popularity for scary attractions, with thrill-seekers eagerly flocking to encounter a simulated death-like experience. This theme has been explored in other movies as well, highlighting humanity’s intriguing fascination with immersing themselves into narratives. Simultaneously, it depicts how eerie scenes seamlessly intertwine with reality. Notably, there are compelling acting displays that offer insight into the diverse mentalities of the characters.

Worst Parts

The film falls short in reaching its full potential for frightening moments. It fails to transcend the confines of a conventional slasher plot with elements of a botched mystery and haunted locale. Despite maintaining a sense of realism, it doesn’t quite manage to breathe enough excitement into the story.

Final Thoughts – The Haunted Forest has a twisted vision on the scare attractions.

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2025-08-24 16:38