‘Im Wald’ is a German-language horror film, directed by Josua Meyer, which follows three friends on a camping trip in the forest. The narrative is not completely original, but with some reasonably effective paranormal elements, creates tension and unease. However, despite Josua Meyer’s attempts to create a nerve-wracking atmosphere, the movie fails to immerse the viewer fully. The actors performances by the cast are decent, but the material at hand does not allow them to shine.
The technical aspects of the film, such as the cinematography and sound design are of a reasonably acceptable standard, lending a helping hand in creating an eerie mood. However, the pacing feels off, with some segments feeling too slow for their part in the story.
Overall, ‘Im Wald’ is a fair attempt at horror for the most part of the narrative in a familiar setting; however, it lacks the originality and scares to make it genuine. Josua Meyer and Tommaso Ruggiero’s collaboration demonstrates some technical skill and the ability to create tension when it is needed, but a significant amount of the time, the film misses the mark. Fans of horror movies might enjoy this short film, but for others, despite the spookiness, it all might feel generic.
