Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood
Photo by Bob Akester, courtesy of A24
Into the Forest
Written and directed by Patricia Rozema
Out July 22nd
Rating: 4/5
Set in the near future, Into the Forest follows a family of three living in rural Canada: a widowed father (Callum Keith Rennie) and his two daughters, the studious and practical Nell (Ellen Page) and the dancer and dreamer Eva (Evan Rachel Wood). One night, as Nell is studying for a test and Eva is practicing for a dance competition, the power goes out with no explanation. Part of a continent-wide blackout, this emergency is soon followed by gas scarcities, food shortages, and violence. Before long, Nell and Eva are left to fend for themselves in a dangerous new world. Into The Forest is as much a family drama as it is an apocalypse thriller. There are no zombies, robots, aliens, or spaceships. Instead, writer/director Patricia Rozema focuses on Eva and Nell’s relationship as they fight, make up, and grow closer. The sisters’ house becomes almost like another character, more fully fleshed out than supporting characters like Nell’s devoted boyfriend (Max Minghella) or the dangerous man from town (Michael Eklund). Rozema’s vision makes for a surprisingly optimistic view of the end of the world: When everything falls apart, sisterhood can save us.
BOOB RATINGS
omg amazing
damn good
just ok
could be worse
don’t bother
—
by Erika W. Smith
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2016 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!
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