Cast
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Crew
Director
- Lou Simon
Writer
- Lou Simon
Producer
- Jeff Burdett
- Alan Hanna
- Lou Simon
Reviews
Wuchak
_**The woods are lovely, dark and deep**_
Five young women take a hike in the woods in northern Georgia during the mild winter. They face mysterious injuries and worse. Why?
"All Girls Weekend" (2016) is a low-budget indie adventure/horror that combines elements of “The Blair Witch Project” (1999), “The Edge” (1997) and “The Woods” (2006). It’s not great like “The Edge” but it’s about on par with the other two despite its low-rent status.
The acting is shaky at first, but the no-name cast rises to the challenge. None of the women are babelicious, but they’re a’right with Gem (GiGi Calero) and Dani (Katie Carpenter) kinda fetching. Nancy (Jamie Bernadette) is a little reminiscent of Ensign Ro from TNG, albeit with three-times the attitude. Fortunately, she becomes more human as the story progresses.
The sylvan fall/winter locations are gorgeous, especially the early overhead shot and the Boerum Mill ruins; meanwhile the score is proficient. One critic complained about the supposedly amateurish editing (e.g. the camera turns to an actor, pauses; she talks. Then cuts to the next actor, pauses; and she talks). Actually, everything flowed well as far as this goes; editing is only an issue when it annoyingly calls attention to itself.
There’s more to the story than first meets the eye; good job on this front. Whether or not you like the movie depends on if you appreciate lost-in-the-woods type stories. I do and enjoyed quite a bit of it, but some parts are kinda dull or unpalatable and the movie needed the presence of a standout actress to draw the viewer’s attention.
The film runs 1 hour, 25 minutes, and was shot in northern Georgia (Cumming, Marietta, Buford, East Point & Atlanta).
GRADE: C
Aug 6, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. All Girls Weekend presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Lou Simon brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2016, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of All Girls Weekend took approximately 34 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $1.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 86 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 113 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The costume department created over 367 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2016, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While All Girls Weekend shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Omen, which focuses more on action than character development, All Girls Weekend subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Cleansing Hour and Kandisha explore similar territory, All Girls Weekend stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: July 12, 2016
- Runtime: 1h 26m
- Budget: $1,000,000
