Film Review: Sasquatch Sunset is Both Profound and Dumb

Bleeker Street

4/5 stars

There's nothing new about a film where the human race encounters a creature that was previously unknown to them and how they react to this discovery. However, what if this story was told from the point of view of the creatures? Where humanity is the unknown other? This is the question raised by the Zellner brothers (The Curse, Kumiko the Treasure Hunter) in their new film Sasquatch Sunset, undoubtedly one of the strangest films released in quite some time and almost destined to become a cult classic. The film manages to have some intriguing insights into humanity's impact on the natural world while also giving us the joy of watching famous actors in Bigfoot costumes spray bodily fluids everywhere.

Following a year in the life of a Sasquatch family in the woods of Northern California, we watch as they search for food, build shelters, and basically go about their business. However, they begin to encounter more strange artifacts from mysterious creatures that are having an impact on their forest home.

With no dialogue other than grunts, hoots, and gesticulating, this film is not for everyone (it was the most walked-out-of movie at Sundance this year), but for those who look past the initial weirdness can find much to enjoy — especially the breathtaking cinematography and incredible score by The Octopus Project. The story of modern civilization's effects on nature is very interesting when seen through the eyes of these creatures and the film offers great absurdist humor for audiences willing to get on its wavelength. This is a difficult one to recommend, but I truly hope it finds its audience. 

Written by David Zellner // Directed by David and Nathan Zellner // Starring Riley Keough, Jesse Eisenberg, Christophe Zajac-Denek, and David Zellner // 89 minutes // Bleeker Street // Rated 'R'