American Beast
Livingston Oden, Taylor Scott Olson, and Jana K. Lensing
2015
Reviewed by A. Renee Hunt
American Beast, written by Livingston Oden, Taylor Scott Olson, and Jana K. Lensing, is a horror film that spans seventy-five years. A family secret, rooted on a piece of forested land, holds a Native American mystery, fueled by the need to be free.
James Erikson’s grandmother has passed away, leaving everything to him and not his estranged mother. When he checks on a storage locker that’s supposed to hold an inheritance, he’s disappointed to find there’s nothing but a box. The box holds history, leading back to the 1930s and through a series of audio recordings, journal entries, and sketches, James finds out he’s the owner of cursed riverfront property. Can he investigate and find an explanation for the occurrences of the past, as well as the present?
American Beast is a movie that struck my fancy by invoking memories of horror classics, B-movies, and slashers! From styles mirroring Dracula, to the jump-scares of Friday the 13th, ending with the camera tellings of REC and Blair Witch, this movie carried tributes for horror while passing on original lore. From lips moving out of sync to 80s flare, the nostalgia of each segment made American Beast an interesting view. The movie made me laugh, jump a few times, and shake my head with adult disgust (the teen-foolery of most horror flicks).
The only issue I found with the movie pertains to the creature. I have an idea on what the creature was, but it was never stated. I understood who created it and how, but as far as what it was is never told. I believe that information would have enhanced the story, but it didn’t cause any harm. Other than that, American Beast is very entertaining and brings honor to the indie film industry.
American Beast has great special effects, an interesting story line, and an ending that lets you know all is not well.
Available on Amazon.
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