Deep in the Woods

Deep in the Woods (French title: *Promenons-nous dans les bois*) is a French slasher film from 2000, directed by Lionel Delplanque. The story centers on five young actors who are hired to put on a performance at a secluded chateau owned by Baron Axel de Fersen. Soon after arriving, they learn that a killer is on the loose in the area.

The film premiered in France on June 14, 2000. At that year's Sitges Film Festival in Spain, it won 'Best Film' in the 'Official Fantàstic Competition' section.

The plot begins with a mother reading *Little Red Riding Hood* to her son before she is murdered in front of him. Later, five actors—including Sophie Jeanne and her four friends—are invited to Baron Axel de Fersen's castle to stage a modern version of the same fairy tale. They are met by the gamekeeper Stephane, the wheelchair-bound Baron de Fersen, and his deaf son Nicolas. After dinner, the Baron retires, but the actors soon find only a bloodstain where he was. They continue partying, which upsets Sophie, who thinks their behavior is reckless. She wants to leave, but the others warn she could get lost in the woods. One by one, her friends are killed: Matilda is stabbed in the shower by a man in a wolf costume, and Jeanne is also murdered. The three survivors panic and suspect Stephane is the killer. After Wilfried dies, Sophie accuses Matthew, upsetting him. They then encounter the wolf, who is revealed to be Axel de Fersen. Sophie kills him and escapes the castle with Matthew and Nicolas.

In France, the film was released on VHS and DVD in 2001. Artisan Entertainment put out a DVD on October 23, 2001, which included an audio commentary by Brian Yuzna. A Region 2 DVD from Tartan Video followed on August 26, 2002.

Reception was mixed. The French edition of *FHM* gave it four out of five stars, calling it "brilliant" for a debut. *Télérama* awarded two stars, saying it provoked unintentional laughter. Allrovi gave three stars, comparing the film to Dario Argento's work and noting that its style was so strong it masked plot holes. Film4 described it as slick and well-made but lacking convincing tension or a threatening atmosphere, calling it "style over content." In its opening week in France, the film drew 170,000 admissions. In the United States, it grossed a total of $145,320.