Devil’s Path
21 Feb 2019.

Devil’s Path is a movie about gay cruising in the forest. Well, it’s about more than that. It’s about two guys who take a hike on a nature trail and suddenly they seem to be the object of two bashers hunting them down. It becomes a game of cat and mouse. But nothing is as it seems. However, to say any more would spoil all the delicious revelations and surprises the film has to offer.

The film is set entirely in a gorgeous dense forest. The two stars are charming; one of them was the co-writer of the script. There is no nudity and only the briefest simulated sex scenes, so don’t expect titillation. What it lacks in arousal it more than makes up for with thrills and chills. 

But I will admit that the whole time I was watching it, I kept thinking What is the point of this story? Revenge? Ruin? Realization? Retribution? All the R words, probably. It’s a curious film, designed to push buttons but also with something very dark at its heart. Nevertheless, the message doesn’t seem to be Avoid cruising grounds. 

Or is it?