Film Review- The Forest Hills

Rico (Chiko Mendez) is tormented by nightmarish visions after enduring head trauma while camping in the Catskill woods. Rico’s best friend Billy (Edward Furlong, TERMINATOR 2, DETROIT ROCK CITY), helps guide him through his emotional turmoil. The Forest Hills, also stars Shelley Duvall (NASHVILLE, THE SHINING, ANNIE HALL), Felissa Rose, (SLEEPAWAY CAMP) and Dee Wallace (ET).

Scott Goldberg directed, wrote, and produced The Forest Hills movie. One of the best things about this film is how open they are with mental health discussions. The amazingly talented Shelley Duvall returns portraying Mama. Shelley has starred in so many films. She is a star in an otherwise dark night sky. She brightens the movie up with her talent. Shelley has been in everything from Home Fries (1998), The Portrait of a Lady (1996), Popeye (1980), and of course The Shining (1980). Shelley Duval is also a writer and producer.

The Forest Hills movie opens with a young Mama having a nightmare/flashback. We meet her son Rico portrayed by Chiko Mendez who is so talented. When you see his performance in The Forest Hills, it is wild. He inhabits this role with so much heart and soul. Linda Flores portrays Emily; Emily is Rico’s sister. Edward Furlong portrays Billy. He is Rico’s friend. He kind of supports Rico. The Forest Hills movie is a bit trippy because you are not sure if this is happening or if it is not happening.

Scott Goldberg delved into the psychological aspect of everything. Billy’s motto is “sex, drugs, and murder.” It may not help him in life. Childhood trauma takes a toll on some people. Rico tells Billy that his sister wants him to go to therapy. Rico and Emily are both struggling. Emily is the caretaker but also hasn’t been able to grieve in any way. She is so worried about Rico. She talks to him about attending a group therapy, and oh its six months later. It is for head trauma survivors.

This is not your everyday horror movie. Felissa Rose and Dee Wallace also appear in the film. They are two legends. Rico attends this group therapy, and he shares his story. He is vlogging, being mindful, making memories, and trying to be happy. He shares these traumatic stories, and how he sees himself. He sees himself as a werewolf. We all seek some kind of peace in life. Whether it’s going for a walk, going to the gym, writing, journaling, cooking. People do so many different things. The story is meaningful. It was beautifully told. Dee Wallace portrays Angela, maybe Rico should have asked her some werewolf advice?! Rico struggles, and goes through jobs. He winds up in hiding. The cast is awesome.

The Forest Hills stars Edward Furlong, Shelley Duvall, Dee Wallace, Felissa Rose, Stacey Nelkin, Marianna Hagan, Marc Summers, Robert Leckington, Chiko Mendez, Jamie Marsh, Laurie Hamfeldt Mahoney, Jeff McCarthy, Elliot Leigh Wood, Vincent Ticali, Brian Michael Finn, J.B. Yowell, Linda Flores, Tammy Mattox, Jennifer Pearl, Elliott Dreznick, Raffaello Perfetto, Alethea Maguire, Sondra Wymar, Nick Graystone, Tom Moynahan, Andrew Gordon, Wes Lee, Anita Durst, Sherrie Renea Lewis, Helen Proimos, Caitlyn Classey, Ariel Elizabeth Acosta, Jeremy Rushkoski, Mark Thomas McKenna, Hank Dreznick, Jesse-Lee Lafferty, Doug Williams, and Rachel Dreznick.

Rico’s sister Emily is so worried about him. She sends people to check on him. We also meet Lou (Wes Lee), he is sort of a bodyguard type of dude. He is watching out for Emily. Could we take a moment to talk about the dishwasher Eddie who is working for Angela (Dee Wallace). Is it an homage? Okay, let us take a moment, Dee Wallace starred in The Howling (1981). It was directed by Joe Dante, and Dee Wallace portrayed Karen White, and the serial killer/werewolf who was after her was Eddie portrayed by Robert Picardo. If you have not seen The Howling (1981), go watch it after you watch The Forest Hills movie.

Chiko Mendez is amazing, he is brutal, and all in with this character. His visions vary, and it does get creepy. There are some brutally wild special effects. It is always great to see Edward Furlong in a film. He is doing a great job playing Billy. (The Road Kill jacket) Emily is going through it. The peanut butter scene is going to change your life. Rico is struggling, he is seeing things, and it is not getting better.

It is sad because even though people say, oh it is okay to talk about mental health. The stigmas still linger. People will say, “oh he/she is crazy.” This movie shows how impactful horror can be. It shows that horror movies are not just gore and sex, although there is nothing wrong with that.

It is nice to have a nice psychological kick to a movie every once in a while. Life can be hard. We take care of ourselves, family, friends, work, life, trying to have some kind of social life or staying in for those who don’t like to go out.

Head traumas can be horrible. You go through so many changes in life. Scott Goldberg did a great job with The Forest Hills. The cinematography is great. The Forest Hills movie has a great score, and awesome music. DemonScar is featured. I would recommend watching The Forest Hills. Check the movie out.