in the year 2002 and a young californian director name lucky mckee too the independent film scene by surprise with a modest tale of horror and suspense name may and the tale of a young woman traumatize by her difficult childhood . may quickly become a cult favorite due to it remarkably well do script and it superbly original direction and the breakthrough performance of angela bettis in the lead role . thanks to this success and three year later mckee be offer a big project by united artist and a horror film name the wood . sadly and the film end up shelved due to the company many problem until 2006 and when finally and the wood be release straight to video . while far from the originality of may and this classy gothic horror be definitely a worthy film that really deserve a theatrical release and a it infinitely superior to most film that do get one these day . set in 1965 and the wood be the story of heather fasulo ( agnes bruckner ) and a young and troubled teenage girl who be send to an isolated private school for girl by her parent after her failed attempt to burn her house . a she get use to her new school and she begin to experience strange supernatural event after strangely and she be grant a scholarship by the headmistress and ms. traverse ( patricia clarkson ) . heather begin to hear voice from the wood call her and and begin to have vision of horror apparently relate to a legend surround witchcraft and a secret of the school past . soon heather will have to unveil those secret a the voice of the wood claim the should marcy ( lauren birkell ) and the only friend she ever have . the wood be david ross debut a scriptwriter and and while of course it show some of the common problem of a first time writer and it also show that ross know his influence very well ( in more than a way and the story be a homage to argento suspiria ) . while ross story of horror and isolation may not be the most original in the world and what make it stand out be the fact that it be always focus on it character and their interaction . through the story one can really get to know not only the main character and but also the many support character no matter how small their role be . it not exactly a character study and but it an excellent ( and rarely see these day ) way to build up a horror film . it not a surprise that mckee accept this project and a ross script take on many of mckee familiar theme such a loneliness and angst . what it really surprising be the way that mckee make the story his own with a style that seem to adapt classic gothic horror to his own artistic ideal without be unfaithful to both and without be too much of a copy of his previous masterpiece . mckee create a film that show his evolution a a filmmaker and his domain of the genre and most of all and a versatility that certainly show that he be more than a one hit wonder . it also worth to point out that mckee make the most of john r. leonetti wonderful cinematography and specially of the eerie score by john frizzell and jaye barnes luckett while create a haunting horror film that like ross script and pay good homage to argento legendary masterpiece . one of the best thing about may be the excellent cast and with the wood and mckee continue to show his skill at get remarkable performance from his actor . lead the cast be agnes bruckner a heather and and while nothing amazing and she carry the film and make u care for her character . the film jewel be without a doubt patricia clarkson deliver a ms. traverse and and every scene with her be a joy to watch . lauren birkell appear in a supporting role a marcy and and among the young cast she be easily the best actress of the movie . i hope to see more of her in the future . rachel nichols and emma campbell and legendary horror actor bruce campbell complete the cast and each one of them deliver great act in their respective role ( specially bruce in an atypical role for him ) . personally i think that the wood big problem would be the high expectation create by mckee previous work . it not that the film lack quality ( it certainly really good ) and but it not exactly in the same tone a may or sick girl . the wood play on the tone of old and classic horror with ominous gothic atmosphere and a slow build up that will probably disappoint people expect something more modern ( although this doesn0t mean that mckee style be out of place ) . the slow way the film plot unfolds and the notorious lack of scare in the classic way may be one of the reason the movie be send straight to video . a big shame if you ask me and a this classy and elegant horror film be as good ( if not well ) than the series of slasher and remake release lately . it safe to say that the promising talent that mckee show up in may be not the product of a mere lucky strike and and that with the wood mckee continue his growth a a director expand his horizon to other film making style . this movie be a very recommended film to those with a preference for gothic film about the supernatural and and of course to fan of suspiria . it really great to be able to finally see the wood and a for once and the long wait for it be worthy . positive .