Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Wrong Turn’

Written by Scott Edwards

Making your way off of the beaten path is something that many people take pride in and for good reason. Seeing things that others do not is a great turn on for the outdoors types and there is nothing wrong with that. But you have to ensure that you know where you are, along with knowing how to leave if you find yourself in trouble. Searching for the best view, a secluded lake or just to be with nature for a few days will always get you recharged, but you must remember to bring a map, just in case you get turned around and have no idea where you really are.
​
Coming to a complete standstill on the highway and finding out that traffic will not be moving for several hours, Chris Flynn decides to backtrack to a gas station he passed along the way. With a weak cell phone signal and not being able to get word to the person he has an interview with, he needs to make a call so he does not miss out on the job. Arriving at the gas station and finding out that the phone does not work, Chris asks about a possible alternate route that could get him around the delays. Not getting any information from the old timer, Chris spots a map and sees another way and decides that it is his only shot at getting to the interview on time.  

Getting onto Bear Mountain Road, Chris is letting his fears fade away, but when taking his eyes off of the road, he winds up finding out that he is not the only one on the lonely back road. Crashing into a truck, Chris finds that another group has had their vehicle disabled. Making quick introductions to Carly, her finance Scott, Evan, Francine and Jessie, the group finds out that their being stranded is not an accident. Coming out of the woods and finding that the barbed wire that tore out their tires was put there intentionally; the group needs to find a way back to civilization. Knowing the way since he checked out the map back at the gas station, Chris is happy to lead the charge and leaving Evan and Francine behind to do their thing, the group makes their way back to the gas station.    

Making their way back through the woods, Chris learns a little more about what the situation with the group is but tries to keep them moving. Spotting an unmanned fire in the distance, they group is not able to see anyone when calling out for help, so they continue on. Coming to the end of the road, they continue to move deeper into the woods and spot a sign of life in a house in the middle of nowhere. Hoping that there may be a phone inside, the group enters to find it is really a hoarder’s nest and after ignoring Jessie’s feelings about the house not being a place they want to be, the group finds out on their own that whomever lives there has bodies hidden all around. Trying to sneak out before the owners return home, the group spots a tow truck with their cars attached and are forced to see how brutal living in the woods really is, especially on a diet of human flesh.

Even though this movie came out some fifteen years ago, it really has stood up to the tests of time with limited technology being used in the film, i.e. cell phones and radios. What is most disturbing about the movie is when the group is forced to see their friends being butchered by the cannibals that live in the woods and while the family of flesh eaters are not easy on the eyes, their tactics are what really drives the story. The escape from the cannibal house only leads to more issues for the group, which really makes it fun and seeing some of the deaths, well, if you are a horror fan you don’t want to miss an axe to the mouth now do ya? With plenty of screaming, a car crash, arrows, an axe, a false sense of hope and a watch tower that really holds no value, this is one of those old horror movies that is worth a revisit. While I try to stay to the marked paths in the forest, this movie has put it in my mind that there is something much more sinister waiting for anybody that’s willing to step into the unknown, and also that distracted driving is bad. Stay Scared.  

---