For those of us who grew up on the Wrong Turn franchise, the wait for a fresh, compelling take on the survival-horror/wilderness subgenre has felt long. Fortunately, director James Kondelik delivers exactly that with Pitfall—a tense, atmospheric thriller that proves there’s far more to fear in the woods than wildlife and bad weather.
The story follows two grieving siblings, Scott (Marshall Williams) and Ashley (Alex Essoe), who attempt to rebuild their relationship five years after the death of their parents. Their plan for a peaceful reunion in the mountains seems ideal—quiet, calm, a breath of fresh air. They are joined by their partners Gwen (Jordan Claire Robbins) and Charlie (Matt Hamilton), as well as longtime friend Lars (Richard Harmon).
But tranquility quickly gives way to dread. During a nighttime return to camp, Scott becomes separated from the group and plummets into a deep pit, leaving him injured and trapped. As the others search desperately for him, the situation escalates from an unfortunate accident to something far more sinister. It becomes clear that Scott’s disappearance isn’t the only threat lurking in the forest—someone is watching them, stalking them, and turning their peaceful weekend into a fight for survival.
Shot in the breathtaking landscapes of British Columbia, Pitfall stands as a prime example of indie horror done right. The cinematography is striking—capturing both the beauty and the hostility of the wilderness—while the practical effects are impressively gruesome, delivering gore that is visceral without feeling gratuitous. The characters are equally well-developed. While slashers are often criticized for relying on thinly written victims to pad the body count, Pitfall takes its time to make the core group feel real, grounded, and worth caring about.
Alex Essoe shines as a compelling final girl; Ashley is written with both emotional depth and fierce resilience, and Essoe delivers on every beat. Marshall Williams brings impressive intensity to Scott’s journey—his grief, fear, and creeping despair while trapped alone feel raw and authentic.
Adding to the film’s tension is Randy Couture, who brings a brutal physicality and eerie presence to the film’s main villain. His scenes are memorable, his menace palpable, and his kills are the kind that linger long after the credits roll.
I had a genuinely great time with Pitfall. It delivers the thrills, twists, and memorable kills that any horror aficionado can appreciate. It’s a confident, well-crafted entry in the survival-horror genre.
Pitfall is now playing in theaters.
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