Four friends have stuck together through thick and thin and though everything that life has thrown at them in the last twenty years. As their self proclaimed motto of Same Shit Different Day (SSDD) has become to mean a lot to them. The four friends Henry Devlin, Joe (Beaver) Clarendon, Jonesy Jones and Pete Moore have been though a lot but their most significant event happened when they were kids. They would meet up and help a retarded kid Douglas "Duddits" Cavell that was being tortured by bullies and he would forever change their lives. Because Duddits would embody them with special gifts that would allow them to read the minds of others as well as share an empathy and connection with each other. They would develop a special relationship with Duddits that would have them even looking to save others. But twenty years have gone by and the four friends have become cynical of life and they have met at the same cabin that they meet at every year to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of life. But this hunting trip will be different then all the others as there is something dark and sinister in the woods that is hunting and killing everything in its path. The friends find themselves in an army quarantine that is being led by an overzealous commander of a special operatives group. The friends find themselves possibly faced with an alien invasion as the hunted will try and become the hunter.

Based on the novel by Stephen King this movie takes a turn from most traditional King horror movies and deals with aliens and a possible invasion. King also has quite a knack at telling unique dramas that can enthrall you. The movie is quite gory and frightening at times, King does not go for the more suspense techniques available and rather just throws a frightening tale at you where little is held back. That is not to say the movie does not have its interesting twist and turns that can surprise and stun you at times as he not only deals with the invasion but also with the more human aspects of the four friends. Some of the actors in this movie did quite a good job, while others were quite dismal. Thomas Jane and Jason Lee’s performances were kind of weak at times and did not do much for the movie. While Timothy Olyphant and Damian Lewis did superb jobs at drawing you into the movie. Damian Lewis especially makes the movie at times as he plays a double role that just intrigues you and makes you totally enthralled in the movie. I was a little disappointed in Morgan Freeman’s character although he plays it as well as he always has it just did not seem to fit his persona. The movie is a frightening exilarting ride into terror and horror that also at the same time manages to make fun of many of the cliques that are too present in today’s movies. And if you are not interested in the movie the Animatrix that appears before the movie might just be worth it on its own.
3.5 stars out of 5