The less you know the better about “The Cabin in the Woods”

Sometimes less is more and trust me, the less you know about this horror film before seeing it the better you will enjoy it.

All I can say is that it centers on five college friends who decide to spend the weekend at a remote cabin in the woods where bad things happen to them.

But in the hands of Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the upcoming The Avengers Assemble) and Drew Goddard (Cloverfield), who co-wrote the screenplay, this tired-out formulaic slasher movie plot is turned completely on its head.

Each of the protagonists represents the stereotypes you find in these films so there is the jock, the slutty hot blonde, the virgin, the book nerd and the pothead.

But in a subtle twist it is the latter’s stoner paranoia that makes him sniff out the truth about their deadly predicament showing that taking drugs can be good for your health.

Directed by Goddard this will satisfy all your horror needs while keeping you guessing.

It is deliciously ingenious and a lot of fun and breaths much needed new life into a predictable and hackneyed genre.

So if you want to be surprised, go see it!

The Cabin in the Woods

Directed by Drew Goddard, written by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon

Running time 95 minutes.

Rated R for strong bloody horror violence and gore, language, drug use and some sexuality/nudity.

Review originally appeared in Morning Star