THE FOREST (2016) Movie Review
The Forest is based on true events in Japan’s infamous “Suicide Forest” where thousands of people go to commit suicide while its creative and compelling story follows Sara Price into the forest in order to rescue her twin sister, Jess.
Sara refuses to believe that her sister would kill herself, refuses to believe her sister is dead, and would do anything to find her sister. She would enter the forest against the advice of professionals. This includes the primary warning given to her by anyone and everyone to whom she speaks about the forest.
“ Do not leave the path.”
So, what does she do? She bolts off the path! Alone. She would abandon her guides. She spends the night. Everything she is advised not to do is what she does. She subjects her unsettled, sad, and vulnerable spirit to the evils running loose in the forest.
Proverbs 4:25-27 says, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” (NLT)
Sara strays from the path, the only safe place in a world filled with deceitful, life taking predators. They prey on her troubled and guilt-ridden spirit driving her to commit a sin from which there is no return.
What begins as a fight to save her sister becomes a battle to save herself. Ghosts and monsters appear to her. She falls into a cave and injures her leg. Her suspicions trick her into alienating her only friend and hurting herself. She tries to face the forest alone, and she fails. She becomes eternally lost.
The Forest is a thrilling example of the dangers of straying from the path. It is an impulsive act that leads to sin, alienation, and despair. The one way to remain safe on the path, one’s walk in righteousness, is to focus on the destination ahead.
Do not allow impulsive decisions lead you astray.
Do not become distracted by the temporary indulgences of this world.
DO NOT LEAVE THE PATH.
