Five friends—Dana (Kristen Connolly), Holden (Jesse Williams), Curt (Chris Hemsworth), Jules (Anna Hutchison), and Marty (Fran Kranz)—head into the woods, planning to get some R&R in a secluded, off-the-grid cabin belonging to Curt's cousin. They quickly learn that, not only are they isolated with no means of communicating with the outside world, but they're also being hunted by a family of redneck torture zombies. As they try to find a means of escaping, they come to realize that they are being watched and that the zombies are the least of their problems.
The Cabin in the Woods was filmed from a screenplay written by American screenwriters Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. A novelization, The Cage in the Woods: The Official Movie Novelization (2012), was released by English horror writer Tim Lebbon along with screenplay writers Whedon and Goddard.
The movie's premise is that there are ancient gods that must be appeased with ritualistic sacrifice or they will return to destroy the world. Over time, the requirements for the ritual have become more complex and vary from society to society. Many countries participate in order to ensure that an appeasement is made in the event that others fail. The movie follows an unknown organization as it unleashes a technologically-advanced scenario in which five young adults (representing a whore, a fool, an athlete, a scholar, and a virgin) enter into a controlled environment and one by one are sacrificed to the ancients. The victims have to enter the scenario and choose their manner of death on their own accord but are heavily influenced by workers secretly manipulating them via subliminal cues, chemical changes, and direct intervention. The premise of the film is suggesting that all the famous horror/slasher flicks are actually part of this ritual.
Going by the name of the button itself, it is a popular theory that the button was created to eradicate all the monsters by having them kill each other. The button was intended to be used when the building is clear of any human beings (maybe after they have hidden in a room accessible from the room with the button). While it is questionable why they made the button so easy to be pushed, the button is an obvious satire of the eleventh-hour deus ex machina in horror movies. On the DVD commentary, even co-writer Joss Whedon mentioned in a tongue-in-cheek manner that "[there] would totally [be a] system purge technology if you had a bunch of monsters". In other words, there is no explanation as to why and how easily Dana and Marty are able to find and push the button, but as the movie satirizes the clichés and tropes of the horror genre, this plot point was introduced so as to mock those horror movies in which the protagonist find an object or device at the last possible minute that is able to best the villain. It also is a poke at the Big Red Button trope—the activation control of choice for any truly powerful effect.
Presumably, ancient man or some third party either forced them underground and made sacrifices to keep them there or they struck a deal with humanity, giving them the surface of the Earth in return for their offerings. It is possible that they have classical Greek origins, with Whedon and Goddard drawing upon the "Theoi Khthonioi," or Chthonian gods, who dwelt or were imprisoned underground. (Consider also the Titans who, to quote Wikipedia, were "immortal beings of incredible strength and stamina and were also the first pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses." In the manga series Attack on Titan (2013), they are monsters "which instinctively attack and devour ordinary humans on sight.")
The Director explains to Dana and Marty that "the ritual is different in every culture, and it has changed over the years." By this statement, it is clear that the ritual needs different scenarios from each culture. The scenarios depend on the culture's most famous horror formula at the time. In the American culture, the most widely-accepted theme is for a group of college-aged people go out to a rural or even less-developed spot in which to cut loose. In the Japanese culture, the horror formula most well-known to the audience is the angry child entity. The young schoolgirls defeated the entity, which is why the characters say, "Japan has failed". Similar endings occurred in other countries that were quickly overwatched when the mass breakout was going on.
As the Director is killed and Marty is still alive at sunrise, the ritual failed. Therefore the old gods come back to destroy humankind. It has been suggested by some that the ending is 'ambiguous and unclear', that the Director was not necessarily telling the truth and that technology and learning has made mankind a much tougher proposition than we used to be. When the question of a sequel was posed to Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon at a press event for the film Drew looked that the reporter and said "Have you seen the ending to my movie?". However he later added that both he and Joss liked the fictional world they had created and he would 'Never say never' for a sequel.
Alien Beast - Xenomorph, can be seen during the purge on the control room monitors stalking a female faculty worker. Generic reference: Alien (1979). [Bet on by Bio-Med] And a creature that could be said to resemble a Facehugger from the Alien movies can be seen from the jumping out of an elevator onto a soldier. [Bet on by Bio-Med]
Ancient Ones - Unique godly beings partially seen at the end of the film in the pit and bursting through the earth. The driving force behind the movie. Apparently influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and possibly as a not-so-subtle dig at the viewing audience.
Angry Molesting Tree - Exactly what it sounds like. Seen bursting out of elevator, more detailed scene cut from theatrical release. Specific reference: The Evil Dead (1981). [Bet on by Wranglers]
Blob - Shapeless mass seen in a Cube Cell. Specific reference: The Blob (1958). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Boomer - Bloated zombie seen in a Cube Cell. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead (2008). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
The Bride - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Likely summoned by the wedding dress and choker. Possible reference to The Bloody Bride of 13 Curves Road. [Bet on by Digital Analysis]
The Cube Cells - A large multi-layered labyrinth of cells holding all the monsters. Generic reference: Cube (1997), The Cell (2000)
Clown - Serial-killeresque clown evoking Pennywise. The clown is shot three times with a pistol without showing any outward effect other than slight jerks when the bullets hit. This rules out a reference to a John Wayne Gacy normal human killer clown. Generic reference: It (1990), Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988). [Bet on by Electric]
Deadites - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, The Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). [Bet on by Story Dept]
Dog Zombies/Mutants - 2 or 3 dogs can be seen when the cube is fully revealed, above Dana and Marty. Generic reference: Resident Evil (1996), The Thing (1982).
Demon - Larger horned demonic creatures, seen in backgrounds. Generic reference: Night of the Demons (1988). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Dismemberment Goblins - A winged creatures and possibly flightless one seen attacking a soldier in the first wave. Probably shown in the first wave of the Purge as the flying monster who tears a soldier in half with another monster. Generic reference to imps and goblins. Generic reference: Labyrinth (1986). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
The Doctors - Evil surgeons wearing apparent parts of faces sewn to their own. Generic reference: House on Haunted Hill (1999). [Bet on by Accounting]
Dolls aka Babydoll Faces. Sharply dressed people wearing doll face masks, possibly summoned by matching doll face masks, Specific reference: The Strangers (2008). [Bet on by Kitchen Staff]
Dragonbat - Large bat seen chasing people with a split vampire mouth as seen in Underworld and Blade series. Unique creation or possible reference to Underworld: Evolution (2006) or Graveyard Shift (1990). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Giant - Not seen in film. Generic reference: Troll Hunter (2010). [Bet on by Zoology]
Giant Centipede - Seen in Cube reveal scene. Upper right side as one of the miscellaneous inhabitants of the Cube Cells. Generic reference: Resident Evil 0 (2002). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Giant Snake - Giant Cobra with a Rattlesnake's rattle. Generically referencing multiple possible movies such as: Anaconda (1997) / King Cobra (1999). Possibly a reference to the snake creature in Season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997), or the giant snake in Resident Evil (1996). [Bet on by Internal Logistics]
Giant Spider - Giant spider creature seen in the Cell Cube reveal and leaping through the halls. Generic references: Tarantula (1955) / Resident Evil (1996) / Eight Legged Freaks (2002). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Gorilla (with horns) - A horned gorilla is shown in the failed attempt in Buenos Aires. Reference to King Kong or possibly Congo (1995).
Gremlins - Generic reference: Gremlins (1984). Gremlin-looking creatures can be seen on the top right screen in the control room during the Purge for a couple of seconds at most. [Not on the Betting Pool Board]
Hell Lord aka Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain - Buzzsaw face seen holding same orb that summons him. Along with the Puzzle Sphere, the monster is obviously a version of Cenobites. Specfic reference: Pinhead from Hellraiser (1987). [Bet on by Sitterson]
The Huron - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Described in interviews as a Native American, based on Old West settlers' fears of Indian attacks (and scalping). Generic reference: Scalps (1983). [Bet on by Research & Development]
Jack O' Lantern - Seen on monitors during the Purge scenes. Breathing fire on top left monitor in control room during the purge. Generic reference: Pumpkinhead (1988)). [Bet on by Security]
Kiko - The Japanese floating girl ghost. Generic reference: Yurei films (e.g. The Grudge (2004) and The Ring (2002).) [Seen in Japan]
Kevin - A normal looking man that quickly dismembers people. Scenes cut from film. In interviews, Whedon describes him as looking like "some guy who works at Best Buy." Possible reference: Sin City (2005). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Killbot - Scorpion-like robot with buzzsaws. Generic reference: Hardware (1990), Chopping Mall (1986), Runaway (1984). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Klan Members - Seen on monitor in security room right before Dana hits the purge button. Possible reference: Hunter's Blood (1986) and Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Kraken - Massive tentacles seen in control room assault scene. Kills the Chem tech Lin. Generic reference: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Man with Plastic Bag on Head - Seen on a control room monitor suffocating an employee with a clear, plastic bag. Likely a generic serial killer parodying unique kill-tools. [Not on the Betting Pool Board]
Man in Transparent Tarp - Located in one of the cells banging a sledge hammer or axe against the walls and seen again on a control room monitor stalking somebody in a bathroom. Possible unique creation or reference to I Know What You Did Last Summer films. [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Merman - Hadley's beloved mercreature, summoned by the conch. Kills Hadley. Generic reference: Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). [Bet on by Hadley]
Mummy - Mummy creature seen briefly in background. Generic reference: The Mummy (1932). [Bet on by Psychologists]
Mutants (or possibly the Reanimated/Deadites/Zombies) - Unknown if seen in film. Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, the Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. Part of this group is also seen just after the first wave attacks and just before the second wave. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). If more living actual mutants: Wrong Turn (2003) / The Hills Have Eyes (1977) / The Toxic Avenger (1984). [Bet on by Demolition].
The Possessed - Seen via monitor crawling on ceiling wearing upside-down dead faces. Possibly a reference to The Exorcist III (1990). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
The Reanimated - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, The Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). Possible reference: Re-Animator (1985). [Bet on by Administration]
Reaver - Whedonverse monster seen during massacre. Specific reference: Firefly (2002). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Reptilius - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Definitely not the above-mentioned Giant Snake. Possible reference: Reptilicus (1961). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Sasquatch / Wendigo / Yeti - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Folklore references to the hairy "Bigfoot" type beast. Generic reference: Abominable (2006). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Scarecrow Folk - Humanoids with burlap masks and straw-based features. Attack and kill Truman the control room guard before being blown up by an apparent grenade. Generic reference: Scarecrows (1988). [Bet on by Data Archives]
Sexy Witches - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Generic reference: The Craft (1996). [Bet on by Archives]
Singing Girl - Seen after the elevators scenes as a little girl in a white dress singing a lullaby and slowly walking towards the soldier backing away. Similar to Alma Wade taken from the FEAR series, Samara from The Ring and others. She does not show any special abilities. [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Soul Vampire - Seen ripping the soul from one of the soldiers during the first wave of monsters and on one of the monitors in the control room. Unique creation or possibly meant to be Witch or Sexy Witch (unlikely) or even a form of Vampire; all of which are on the Betting Pool Board. Otherwise reference: Shang Tsung, The Chronicles of Riddick (2004). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Snowman - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Possible reference: Jack Frost (1997). [Bet on by Communications]
Sugar Plum Fairy aka Ballerina Dentata - Unique creation summoned by the music box. Loose cross of Black Swan (2010) as a child with the tooth fairies from Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). Possible reference to Pan's Labyrinth (2006), but according to Drew Goddard, the creation was "pure Joss Whedon". [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Tank - Huge monster seen directly below Dana and Marty in the Cube reveal. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead (2008). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Trenchcoat Killer - Chasing a faculty worker down the hall before throwing him to the Giant Snake. Unique creation or possible reference: Deep Red (1975). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Twins aka Grady's Daughters - Twin little girls. Specific reference: The Shining (1980). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Unicorn - An actual Unicorn from myth. Normally not considered a monster. Generic reference: Plucky Pennywhistle's Magical Menagerie (2012) (2013). Possibly a reference to The Abominable Dr. Phibes and what is generally considered the first "body count" film. In that film doctors are killed according to the Biblical Plagues of Egypt -one of which involved a surgeon being impaled by a brass unicorn. [Bet on by Engineering]
Vampires - Bald, gothically dressed humanoids with sharp ears. Possibly referenced earlier as Gremlins. Generic reference: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922). [Bet on by Distribution]
Werewolf - Prominently shown. Generic reference: The Wolf Man (1941). [Bet on by Finance]
Witch - Crying witch seen in Cube Cells reveal. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead (2008). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Witches - Possibly the flying witch seen stealing the soul of a soldier. Generic reference: Darkness Falls (2003). [Bet on by Operations]
Wraiths - Various ethereal ghosts seen in initial Cube Cells and during the full reveal and during the Purge. Generic reference: 13 Ghosts (1960). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Zombie Redneck Torture Family aka the Buckners - Main villains summoned by reciting a Latin incantation in the diary. A family of rednecks who adhere to a religion that worships pain. Mash-Up of zombie, torture and homicidal backwood family films (e.g. Wrong Turn (2003) / The Hills Have Eyes (1977)). The religious element (and the family's "Black Room") reference the Cenobites from Hellraiser (1987). [Bet on by Maintainence and Ronald the Intern]
Zombies - Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, The Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. Part of this group is also seen just after the first wave attacks and just before the second wave. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). Generic reference: Night of the Living Dead (1968). [Bet on by Chem Dept]
Ancient Ones - Unique godly beings partially seen at the end of the film in the pit and bursting through the earth. The driving force behind the movie. Apparently influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and possibly as a not-so-subtle dig at the viewing audience.
Angry Molesting Tree - Exactly what it sounds like. Seen bursting out of elevator, more detailed scene cut from theatrical release. Specific reference: The Evil Dead (1981). [Bet on by Wranglers]
Blob - Shapeless mass seen in a Cube Cell. Specific reference: The Blob (1958). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Boomer - Bloated zombie seen in a Cube Cell. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead (2008). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
The Bride - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Likely summoned by the wedding dress and choker. Possible reference to The Bloody Bride of 13 Curves Road. [Bet on by Digital Analysis]
The Cube Cells - A large multi-layered labyrinth of cells holding all the monsters. Generic reference: Cube (1997), The Cell (2000)
Clown - Serial-killeresque clown evoking Pennywise. The clown is shot three times with a pistol without showing any outward effect other than slight jerks when the bullets hit. This rules out a reference to a John Wayne Gacy normal human killer clown. Generic reference: It (1990), Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988). [Bet on by Electric]
Deadites - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, The Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). [Bet on by Story Dept]
Dog Zombies/Mutants - 2 or 3 dogs can be seen when the cube is fully revealed, above Dana and Marty. Generic reference: Resident Evil (1996), The Thing (1982).
Demon - Larger horned demonic creatures, seen in backgrounds. Generic reference: Night of the Demons (1988). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Dismemberment Goblins - A winged creatures and possibly flightless one seen attacking a soldier in the first wave. Probably shown in the first wave of the Purge as the flying monster who tears a soldier in half with another monster. Generic reference to imps and goblins. Generic reference: Labyrinth (1986). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
The Doctors - Evil surgeons wearing apparent parts of faces sewn to their own. Generic reference: House on Haunted Hill (1999). [Bet on by Accounting]
Dolls aka Babydoll Faces. Sharply dressed people wearing doll face masks, possibly summoned by matching doll face masks, Specific reference: The Strangers (2008). [Bet on by Kitchen Staff]
Dragonbat - Large bat seen chasing people with a split vampire mouth as seen in Underworld and Blade series. Unique creation or possible reference to Underworld: Evolution (2006) or Graveyard Shift (1990). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Giant - Not seen in film. Generic reference: Troll Hunter (2010). [Bet on by Zoology]
Giant Centipede - Seen in Cube reveal scene. Upper right side as one of the miscellaneous inhabitants of the Cube Cells. Generic reference: Resident Evil 0 (2002). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Giant Snake - Giant Cobra with a Rattlesnake's rattle. Generically referencing multiple possible movies such as: Anaconda (1997) / King Cobra (1999). Possibly a reference to the snake creature in Season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997), or the giant snake in Resident Evil (1996). [Bet on by Internal Logistics]
Giant Spider - Giant spider creature seen in the Cell Cube reveal and leaping through the halls. Generic references: Tarantula (1955) / Resident Evil (1996) / Eight Legged Freaks (2002). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Gorilla (with horns) - A horned gorilla is shown in the failed attempt in Buenos Aires. Reference to King Kong or possibly Congo (1995).
Gremlins - Generic reference: Gremlins (1984). Gremlin-looking creatures can be seen on the top right screen in the control room during the Purge for a couple of seconds at most. [Not on the Betting Pool Board]
Hell Lord aka Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain - Buzzsaw face seen holding same orb that summons him. Along with the Puzzle Sphere, the monster is obviously a version of Cenobites. Specfic reference: Pinhead from Hellraiser (1987). [Bet on by Sitterson]
The Huron - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Described in interviews as a Native American, based on Old West settlers' fears of Indian attacks (and scalping). Generic reference: Scalps (1983). [Bet on by Research & Development]
Jack O' Lantern - Seen on monitors during the Purge scenes. Breathing fire on top left monitor in control room during the purge. Generic reference: Pumpkinhead (1988)). [Bet on by Security]
Kiko - The Japanese floating girl ghost. Generic reference: Yurei films (e.g. The Grudge (2004) and The Ring (2002).) [Seen in Japan]
Kevin - A normal looking man that quickly dismembers people. Scenes cut from film. In interviews, Whedon describes him as looking like "some guy who works at Best Buy." Possible reference: Sin City (2005). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Killbot - Scorpion-like robot with buzzsaws. Generic reference: Hardware (1990), Chopping Mall (1986), Runaway (1984). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Klan Members - Seen on monitor in security room right before Dana hits the purge button. Possible reference: Hunter's Blood (1986) and Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Kraken - Massive tentacles seen in control room assault scene. Kills the Chem tech Lin. Generic reference: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Man with Plastic Bag on Head - Seen on a control room monitor suffocating an employee with a clear, plastic bag. Likely a generic serial killer parodying unique kill-tools. [Not on the Betting Pool Board]
Man in Transparent Tarp - Located in one of the cells banging a sledge hammer or axe against the walls and seen again on a control room monitor stalking somebody in a bathroom. Possible unique creation or reference to I Know What You Did Last Summer films. [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Merman - Hadley's beloved mercreature, summoned by the conch. Kills Hadley. Generic reference: Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). [Bet on by Hadley]
Mummy - Mummy creature seen briefly in background. Generic reference: The Mummy (1932). [Bet on by Psychologists]
Mutants (or possibly the Reanimated/Deadites/Zombies) - Unknown if seen in film. Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, the Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. Part of this group is also seen just after the first wave attacks and just before the second wave. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). If more living actual mutants: Wrong Turn (2003) / The Hills Have Eyes (1977) / The Toxic Avenger (1984). [Bet on by Demolition].
The Possessed - Seen via monitor crawling on ceiling wearing upside-down dead faces. Possibly a reference to The Exorcist III (1990). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
The Reanimated - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, The Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). Possible reference: Re-Animator (1985). [Bet on by Administration]
Reaver - Whedonverse monster seen during massacre. Specific reference: Firefly (2002). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Reptilius - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Definitely not the above-mentioned Giant Snake. Possible reference: Reptilicus (1961). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Sasquatch / Wendigo / Yeti - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Folklore references to the hairy "Bigfoot" type beast. Generic reference: Abominable (2006). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Scarecrow Folk - Humanoids with burlap masks and straw-based features. Attack and kill Truman the control room guard before being blown up by an apparent grenade. Generic reference: Scarecrows (1988). [Bet on by Data Archives]
Sexy Witches - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Generic reference: The Craft (1996). [Bet on by Archives]
Singing Girl - Seen after the elevators scenes as a little girl in a white dress singing a lullaby and slowly walking towards the soldier backing away. Similar to Alma Wade taken from the FEAR series, Samara from The Ring and others. She does not show any special abilities. [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Soul Vampire - Seen ripping the soul from one of the soldiers during the first wave of monsters and on one of the monitors in the control room. Unique creation or possibly meant to be Witch or Sexy Witch (unlikely) or even a form of Vampire; all of which are on the Betting Pool Board. Otherwise reference: Shang Tsung, The Chronicles of Riddick (2004). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Snowman - Unknown monster listed on Betting Pool Board. Possible reference: Jack Frost (1997). [Bet on by Communications]
Sugar Plum Fairy aka Ballerina Dentata - Unique creation summoned by the music box. Loose cross of Black Swan (2010) as a child with the tooth fairies from Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). Possible reference to Pan's Labyrinth (2006), but according to Drew Goddard, the creation was "pure Joss Whedon". [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Tank - Huge monster seen directly below Dana and Marty in the Cube reveal. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead (2008). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Trenchcoat Killer - Chasing a faculty worker down the hall before throwing him to the Giant Snake. Unique creation or possible reference: Deep Red (1975). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Twins aka Grady's Daughters - Twin little girls. Specific reference: The Shining (1980). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Unicorn - An actual Unicorn from myth. Normally not considered a monster. Generic reference: Plucky Pennywhistle's Magical Menagerie (2012) (2013). Possibly a reference to The Abominable Dr. Phibes and what is generally considered the first "body count" film. In that film doctors are killed according to the Biblical Plagues of Egypt -one of which involved a surgeon being impaled by a brass unicorn. [Bet on by Engineering]
Vampires - Bald, gothically dressed humanoids with sharp ears. Possibly referenced earlier as Gremlins. Generic reference: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922). [Bet on by Distribution]
Werewolf - Prominently shown. Generic reference: The Wolf Man (1941). [Bet on by Finance]
Witch - Crying witch seen in Cube Cells reveal. Specific reference: Left 4 Dead (2008). [Not on Betting Pool Board]
Witches - Possibly the flying witch seen stealing the soul of a soldier. Generic reference: Darkness Falls (2003). [Bet on by Operations]
Wraiths - Various ethereal ghosts seen in initial Cube Cells and during the full reveal and during the Purge. Generic reference: 13 Ghosts (1960). [On the Betting Pool Board but not bet on]
Zombie Redneck Torture Family aka the Buckners - Main villains summoned by reciting a Latin incantation in the diary. A family of rednecks who adhere to a religion that worships pain. Mash-Up of zombie, torture and homicidal backwood family films (e.g. Wrong Turn (2003) / The Hills Have Eyes (1977)). The religious element (and the family's "Black Room") reference the Cenobites from Hellraiser (1987). [Bet on by Maintainence and Ronald the Intern]
Zombies - Three forms of ghouls are listed on the Betting Pool Board, and at least three separate groups of undead people are shown in the movie, besides the "main" monsters in the Zombie Redneck Torture Family, The Buckners. The three other groups are a group that spill out of one of the cells in the first wave of monsters released during the Purge. At least two in that first group are wearing blue jumpsuits. Part of this group is also seen just after the first wave attacks and just before the second wave. The second group is seen by Dana and Marty after the Dragonbat makes the hole in the wall for them to escape the elevator lobby during the purge. They only stand there, and so could be any generic zombies. The last group is shown on a monitor in the middle of the Purge wearing orange jumpsuits and vomiting on a technician, similar to the "rage zombies" in 28 Days Later and similar. Specific references: 28 Days Later (2002) and/or The Evil Dead (1981). Generic reference: Night of the Living Dead (1968). [Bet on by Chem Dept]
Depends how you look at it. Marty's attitude is that society is rotten and needs to be brought down then rebuilt as he observes in the camper van. Events will show him to be completely right and he decides to end the appeasement of the Hellgods as it is too high a moral price to pay for continued survival. Whether this means the end of humanity as The Director claims or whether she is exaggerating in order to persuade Dana or simply mistaken and mankind may be able to defeat the Hellgods is open to debate. It could also be argued that if the Hellgods need humanity for sacrifices they would hardly destroy it in its' entirety and with the existence of ghosts the film demonstrates proof of life after death. Another thing to consider is that human beings have a natural instinct to survive, and it's not so easy to just drop that instinct in an instant, especially when you've just spent the entire film trying to survive.
The Cabin in the Woods Enhanced Story Presentation, with highlighted dialogue and over 300 screenshots placed in sync with the story.
No. Nor is there the traditional "Mutant Enemy" logo.
It depends on how you interpret the movie. The hidden plot is a satire on the horror genre in general. Thematically, the ancient ones can be interpreted as the audience who views horror movies. Throughout the film, the crew working underground discuss how difficult it is to please their audience (ancient ones), and throughout time the process has been changed. In this scenario, the movie is a slap in the face to the horror genre in itself for being repetitive, fixed, and predictable. This could be the case at the end when the ancient ones are angered and destroy the world. It could also be a message to change the horror genre altogether as it does include multiple references to the horror genre altogether.
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