***The woods of SoCal have eyes***

This is similar to 1988’s “Memorial Valley Massacre” with the difference of the forest-dwelling antagonist switched from male to female, not to mention adding a gruesome face-stealing element, which brings to mind Leatherface from “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The woodsy setting is great, and the gore is well done, particularly one sequence in the last act (which I won’t spoil).

Unfortunately, the flick only cost $200,000 and so it didn’t have the funds for high caliber actors with the dude playing Ben being especially dubious. The first hour is relatively dull, but the final act is pretty compelling, although (again) you have to overlook some lousy acting.

Brunette Charity Shea as Alex is worth a mention on the feminine front while blondes Julian Berlin (Kim) and Sarah Scott (Zoe) are serviceable.

Comparable movies from the same era include “Evil Breed: The Legend of Samhain” and “Hillside Cannibals,” although they both feature superior acting. Despite the flick’s deficiencies, those looking for something akin to “The Hills Have Eyes” and “Wrong Turn” franchises should find something to like. It’s superior to the lousy “Don’t Go in the Woods” (1981), but not as effective as “Berserker” (1987), although the gore is better.

I shouldn’t fail to add that underground metalcore act Nora have a couple of songs on the soundtrack, “Quitters” during the opening credits and “I Should Have Sent Flowers” during the end credits, both from their 2003 album DREAMERS & DEADMEN.

It runs 1h 27m and was shot in 2004. It looks like it was filmed in the hills outside of urban Los Angeles, which was the case with the aforementioned “Memorial Valley Massacre” (unfortunately, I can’t find info on where it was specifically shot, not even in the end credits).

GRADE: C-/C