Stomping Ground is a horror film that was released in 2014, directed by Dan Riesser. The movie is set in rural Georgia and follows a group of old friends as they reunite for a weekend camping trip in the woods. The cast includes Thad Bateman, Jeramy Blackford, and John Bobek, as well as Tarah DeSpain and Justin Giddings. The film begins with Ben (played by Thad Bateman) and his girlfriend (Tarah DeSpain) arriving at their cabin for the weekend. They are greeted by their old friends Zach (played by Jeramy Blackford) and Greg (played by John Bobek), who they haven't seen in years. The group spends the evening catching up over drinks, but tensions rise as it becomes clear that Ben's girlfriend is not well-liked by the others.
The next day, the group sets out for a hike in the nearby woods. Along the way, they come across a strange woman who warns them to stay away from a certain part of the forest. Ignoring her warning, the friends continue on their hike and eventually stumble upon an old hunting cabin. As night falls, they become trapped inside the cabin as they are hunted by an unknown force.
Stomping Ground is a slow-burning horror movie that relies heavily on its suspenseful atmosphere. The first half of the film is spent establishing the characters and their relationships, with occasional creepy moments thrown in to keep the audience on edge. The second half of the film ramps up the horror, as the group is terrorized by a mysterious creature that lurks in the woods.
The movie's greatest strength is its sense of dread. Director Dan Riesser is clearly influenced by classic horror films such as The Blair Witch Project and Jaws, as he uses sound and darkness to create an ever-present sense of danger. The creature itself is never fully shown, only hinted at through glimpses and sounds. This allows the audience's imagination to fill in the gaps, making the creature all the more terrifying.
The performances in Stomping Ground are solid across the board. Thad Bateman is particularly effective as the film's protagonist, Ben. He brings a sense of vulnerability and humanity to the role, making the audience root for him even as he makes questionable decisions. Jeramy Blackford and John Bobek also turn in strong performances as Zach and Greg, respectively. The film's supporting cast is competent, if somewhat forgettable.
One of the film's biggest drawbacks is its pacing. The first half of the movie is slow-moving and dialogue-heavy, which may be off-putting to viewers looking for more immediate scares. The second half of the movie is more action-packed, but still feels somewhat disjointed.
The movie's ending is also somewhat divisive. While some viewers may find it satisfying, others may feel that it is too ambiguous and unsatisfying. Without giving anything away, it is fair to say that the film's conclusion leaves many questions unanswered.
Overall, Stomping Ground is a solid horror movie that delivers some genuinely creepy moments. Its slow-burning approach may not be for everyone, but those who appreciate atmospheric horror will likely find much to enjoy. The film's strongest aspect is its sense of dread, which is expertly crafted by director Dan Riesser. The performances are strong, and while the pacing may be uneven, the film's payoff is ultimately worth the wait.
Stomping Ground is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.
