The Cabining is a 2014 horror comedy directed by Steve Kopera. The story centers on two failing screenwriters who travel to a remote artists’ retreat, seeking inspiration. The retreat proves anything but serene, as the artists die off one-by-one.
Description
Matt Molgaard of AddictedToHorrorMovies.com describes The Cabining as “more buddy comedy than anything else, but the tone, and the aesthetics of the film sweep viewers away in time, depositing them right back in the 1980s, when slashers were still a lot of fun, and a good kill or character could steal the heart.” The Cabining focuses on Todd, the brains behind the screenwriting team. Todd struggles with creating a unique premise in the cliche-ridden horror genre. Ambush Bug at Ain’t It Cool News writes, “THE CABINING is a peek behind the camera at the hardships writers go through to write a script and grasp that elusive good idea.” Todd discovers inspiration while at the artists’ retreat, as the body count increases. Mike Haberfelner at SearchMyTrash.com adds that Todd’s “creativity soars during these violent days, and he has long abandoned his silly old slasher for a brandnew whodunnit based on current events.” The Cabining is specifically known and recognized for accentuating and playing with traditional horror tropes as, “cliches are called out and worked upon in the film.” HorrorFreakNews.com adds “The mountain of clichés that the Kopera Brothers build throughout the film could easily work as a major detriment to the final product, but that’s not the case. As the Kopera’s lay out the familiar they make sure to stand, point and laugh from a distance.” The original title for the movie was Screamwriters.
Synopsis
Todd and his feckless friend want nothing more than to write a hit horror screenplay. Todd’s wealthy uncle offers to fund the feature, but he provides one condition - they must complete it in two weeks. With the accelerated deadline, Todd and Bruce venture to a remote artists’ retreat, hoping for inspiration. When guests start dying in mysterious, gruesome ways, Todd can’t help but be equally revolted and inspired. With his imagination piqued, Todd must write quickly before he becomes the next victim.
Cast
Mike Kopera as Todd
Bo Keister as Bruce
Angela Relucio as Mindy
Melissa Mars as Celeste
Luce Rains as Jasper
Richard Riehle as Sarge
Mark Radermacher as Monroe
Peter M. Howard as Lacey's Boyfriend
Tyrone Evenson as Studio Engineer
Ally Evenson as T's Girlfriend on Tuesday and Friday
The film aired on Starz Encore throughout 2014-2015 and the Starz App in 2016-2017.. Indican Pictures owns North American distribution rights, and the movie is represented by Leomark Studios.
Critical response
The Cabining earned generally positive reviews from critics. DreadCentral.com listed The Cabining as one of the “10 Horror Comedies a True Fan MUST See” and one of the “10 Amazing Indie Horror Films You May Have Missed.”, saying, “it’s an awesome movie that blends slasher elements with satirical elements, and it comes together beautifully.” AddictedToHorrorMovies.com gave the movie a 4/5 calling The Cabining “a perfect Saturday night movie.” SearchMyTrash.com called it a “very enjoyable piece of genre cinema.” MatchFlick.com gave The Cabining 4/5 adding, “The Kopera Brothers… put together a clever send-up of this all-too-familiar scenario”. HorrorSociety.com called it, “the most detailed and well written slasher that I have probably ever seen.” HorrorFreakNews.com gave The Cabining 3.5/5 and described it as “sharp enough to draw genuine laughs and the charisma that the cast displays is really what low budget filmmaking is all about.”.
