Genre: Supernatural Horror | Psychological Thriller
Directed by: Karyn Kusama (fictional)
Starring: Kaya Scodelario, Hiroyuki Sanada, Katie Leung
Written by: David S. Goyer
*Sequel to: The Forest (2016)
Nearly a decade after the release of The Forest (2016), the sequel that horror fans didn’t know they needed has arrived—and it’s smarter, scarier, and more emotionally grounded. The Forest 2 builds upon the mythos of Japan’s infamous Aokigahara Forest while offering a darker, more psychological narrative that focuses on grief, guilt, and the ghosts we carry inside.
Set several years after the events of the first film, The Forest 2 follows Lena Carter (Kaya Scodelario), a British journalist investigating a new string of disappearances near Aokigahara. Unlike the previous film, which centered on supernatural jump scares, The Forest 2 explores a more psychological brand of horror.
Lena, drawn by her own traumatic past and a personal connection to one of the missing hikers, enters the forest with the help of local guide Takashi (Hiroyuki Sanada). The deeper they go, the more the forest begins to unravel her reality—blending hallucinations, time loops, and ancestral spirits that prey on sorrow.
As her sanity crumbles, Lena must face the darkest parts of her own history or risk being consumed like so many others before her.
Kaya Scodelario brings emotional depth and grit to Lena, portraying a woman fractured by trauma but desperate for answers. Her descent into psychological torment feels both tragic and terrifying. Hiroyuki Sanada, always a commanding presence, adds gravitas as a guide haunted by his own past and by the cultural responsibility to respect the forest’s dead.
Katie Leung (as a missing sister who appears in disturbing visions) adds a ghostly presence that lingers in viewers’ minds well after the credits roll.
Director Karyn Kusama (The Invitation, Jennifer’s Body) offers a slower, more cerebral approach to horror, favoring dread and disorientation over traditional jump scares. Her use of light, shadow, and silence transforms Aokigahara into more than just a setting—it becomes a living, breathing entity.
The film leans heavily into non-linear storytelling, mirroring Lena’s psychological unraveling. Flashbacks and hallucinations blur the boundary between memory and reality, creating a dreamlike terror that feels both modern and mythic.
The Forest 2 moves beyond simple ghost story tropes and into more existential territory. Key themes include:
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Grief as a haunting force
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The cultural weight of suicide in Japan
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Nature as both sanctuary and curse
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Intergenerational trauma
The forest is less a home for monsters and more a mirror for pain, drawing out what lies buried within its visitors.
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Atmospheric, intelligent horror
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Strong central performance by Kaya Scodelario
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Respectful handling of Japanese culture and folklore
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Creative visual storytelling and direction
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A more mature, emotionally resonant sequel
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May feel too slow-paced for fans of conventional horror
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Less focused on external scares, more on internal horror
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Some viewers may find the ending ambiguous or emotionally heavy
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Limited action in the first half could test patience
The Forest 2 doesn’t just improve upon its predecessor—it elevates it, turning a once-average horror flick into a thought-provoking, artful exploration of grief and guilt. With layered characters, haunting visuals, and a respectful nod to the spiritual lore of Japan, it proves that real horror doesn’t just lurk in the trees—it lives in us.
