If you enjoy horror movies where people head into the woods and suddenly have to fight for their lives Pitfall is a film you might want to see,This film focuses on survival, family problems, hidden traps and a dangerous hunter who turns a camping trip into a full nightmare.
The story follows Scott and his sister Ashley, they have been having trouble with their relationship ever since their parents died in an accident,both still feel the pain of losing their parents. Instead of healing they have drifted apart, Finally they choose to go on a camping trip with their partners, Gwen and Charlie and their friend Lars.
They hope that spending time together will fix their bond.. Honestly they have no idea what lies ahead.
Things become suspicious when the group finds a hidden pit of sharp wooden stakes, at first they do not realize how dangerous it is, the forest hides something far worse.
During the trip Scott separates from the others while trying to escape a pack of wolves, he falls into one of the hidden pits and a sharp stake pierces his leg. Imagine being stuck in a hole badly hurt, bleeding and unable to get out, that alone can make anyone panic.
The worst part is that Scott soon learns the trap was set on purpose by someone who hunts people in the woods, that person does not care to give anyone a chance.
While Scott fights to survive inside the pit Ashley and the others start looking for him, unfortunately they find that the mysterious hunter watches them, their phones are taken the traps grow more dangerous , the situation becomes a bloody fight for survival.
The hunter, played by Randy Couture is one of the parts of the film, he is relentless, brutal, Seems to know the forest better than anyone else. The group cannot simply run because they do not know where the traps are or when the hunter might appear.
What makes the film more interesting is that the characters fight not to survive the hunter, they also deal with their personal problems. Scott and Ashley have unresolved family issues, guilt and painful memories that still affect their relationship, as danger rises they start to see how much they still care for each other.
However I feel the film sometimes tries hard to mix emotional family drama with graphic horror. There are moments when the story slows down when you expect it to get more intense, Still the dangerous traps, bloody scenes and constant fear keep the tension alive.
Overall Pitfall is a survival horror film, with disturbing moments to keep horror fans interested, the storyline is not brand new, the idea of being trapped in a pit while a killer hunts your friends is truly terrifying.
Personally I would say this film is worth watching if you enjoy survival thrillers, just do not expect every character to make decisions because sometimes you will shout at your screen wondering why they act the way they do.
One thing this film reminds us of is that sometimes people who go into the forest together do not all come out, In this case the real nightmare is not getting trapped in a pit but discovering that someone deliberately tries to keep you from escaping.
Rating: 70/100