Director Scott Goldberg presents The Forest Hills, a film that marks Shelley Duvall's return to the screen in a haunting final performance.
The story follows Rico (Chiko Mendez), who spirals into madness while isolated in the Catskill mountains. Battling inner demons and haunted by a troubled past with his mother, Mama (Shelley Duvall), Rico leans on his friend Billy (Edward Furlong) for support as he tries to navigate his unraveling mind.
After suffering a head injury, Rico begins experiencing horrific visions and becomes dangerously aggressive toward his loved ones. Initially, it seems like the story might head into werewolf territory, adding a supernatural twist. Though it ultimately takes a different path, the film still explores themes of mental illness in a powerful, symbolic way.
In her role as Mama, Duvall plays a deeply flawed character. We're introduced to her through a disturbing flashback showing a traumatic moment where she tries to harm her children, Rico and Emily. Now, years later, Mama is dying from stage four lung cancer and calls on Rico (now an adult, portrayed by Mendez) to care for her. While Duvall's screen time is mostly in the film's beginning, her character's influence lingers as Rico contends with his own struggles, including a fear that werewolves lurk in the nearby woods.
The Forest Hills has been marketed as a werewolf movie, and there are eerie glimpses of creatures in the forest. But viewers looking for a classic monster flick will find something more surreal here. The official synopsis captures it best: "a man is tormented by nightmarish visions after enduring head trauma while camping in the Catskill woods." The movie plunges us into Rico's distorted reality, presenting a fragmented narrative that leaves us questioning what's real and what's imagined. Is there truly a werewolf? Is Rico losing control of his mind-or worse, becoming a killer? The lines between reality and hallucination blur, echoing Rico's disorientation.
Chiko Mendez delivers a standout performance, fully embodying Rico's turmoil and drawing us into his journey. Though Duvall, Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Dee Wallace (The Howling), Stacey Nelkin (Halloween III: Season of the Witch), Marianne Hagan (Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers), and Edward Furlong (Terminator 2) make strong appearances, Mendez is the heart of the film, carrying its most intense moments.
With additional cameos from iconic figures like Marc Summers, The Forest Hills has something for horror fans, particularly for those who will appreciate its subtle nods to genre legends. The inclusion of diverse leads like Chiko Mendez as Rico and Linda Flores as his sister Emily is also a refreshing addition, offering an inclusive twist to the genre.
I really enjoyed so many legends together and in my opinion Scott Goldberg accomplished a find farewell to a legend. Shelly Duvall was and will always be a legend.
