Shadows of Willow Cabin (2025) Review

Shadows of Willow Cabin (2025) Review

Albert (Bryan Bellomo) and Devon (John Brodsky) retreat to a remote mountain cabin, what begins as tentative desire soon deepens into intimacy, but the cabin has other plans… As the walls whisper with voices they thought had been silenced, the cabin comes to life, trapping the couple in a supernatural loop where time fractures, ghosts manifest, and their repressed traumas take terrifying forms.

Shadows of Willow Cabin positions itself as a supernatural horror, yet what unfolds is a far more introspective and dialogue-driven experience—one that prioritises emotional excavation over genuine suspense. In practice, the film leans heavily toward introspection, with much of its runtime devoted to the central characters unpacking their pasts, which are subtly mirrored in the isolated cabin setting.

Bryan Bellomo and John Brodsky deliver likeable and committed performances, successfully establishing a believable dynamic between their characters. However, at nearly two hours, the film overstays its welcome. The extended runtime amplifies its structural issues, and by the final act, the pacing begins to feel sluggish, diluting the emotional impact the narrative is striving for.

Technically, the film is competent. The score is a particular highlight—evocative enough to stand on its own as a piece of listening material—while the cinematography is suitably atmospheric. That said, some of the more emotionally charged scenes would have benefited from greater intensity, as the dialogue occasionally lacks the weight required to fully land its dramatic moments.

Narratively, certain elements raise questions. The film’s central relationship, for instance, hinges on deeply personal revelations that only emerge once the characters are isolated, which feels somewhat contrived. Additionally, the closing sequence is perplexing, presenting character decisions that seem at odds with the urgency of the situation and undermine narrative coherence.

Despite its marketing, the supernatural aspects are minimal, functioning more as a thematic device than a source of tension or fear. At times, the film feels akin to a deeply personal cathartic exercise translated into screenplay form, with symbolic motifs—such as a recurring “why did the chicken cross the road?” joke—hinting at its underlying themes.

Ultimately, Shadows of Willow Cabin is less a horror film and more a queer romantic drama with light supernatural overtones. While the performances anchor the film with sincerity and charm, the script’s heavy reliance on dialogue and its lack of genuine scares prevent it from fully realising its potential within the genre.

Shadows of Willow Cabin is on UK digital 29 June from GrimmVision

Trailer