By BREANNA WHIPPLE
Starring Brittany Allen, Christina Bennett Lind and Linc Hand
Written and Directed by Gene Gallerano and William Pisciotta
Well Go USA Entertainment
If you have a soft spot for the striking contrast of blood and snow, THE YETI from filmmakers Gene Gallerano and William Pisciotta is not to be missed. Set just a couple of years after the end of World War II, THE YETI follows an unlikely group as they set out to rescue two men who have vanished in the Alaskan wilderness. However, unknown to them, an ancient beast stalks the woods, feeding on the entrails of those unfortunate enough to cross its path. An abundance of gore and grisliness ensues immediately, sure to warm the hearts of beast-horror heathens.
In general, cryptid movies come in two varieties: scary and silly. For some reason, comic relief cannot be left out of the equation when it comes to these legendary creatures. For example, Night of the Demon (1983) has a frightening conclusion that features Sasquatch wreaking havoc on an isolated cabin. Yet, earlier on in the film, he rips a motorcyclist’s “appendage” off when he stops on the side of the road to relieve himself. There is always some sort of goofy catch that can detract from the scare factor. Sure, THE YETI has funny moments, but they arrive in the exaggerated archetypes of the outlandish characters. Not a single aspect suffers from a lack of seriousness despite the comedic elements.
Leaning into the era absolutely works in this case, too. It feels like an examination of American propaganda above all else, but it also commits to the aesthetics and generalized insanity of the atomic age. It carries a vibe not dissimilar to the adventures found in great American novels, while presenting visuals that evoke the colourful romanticism of pulp fiction. Though the creature is always the most important element of monster movies, it is also worth noting that the characters are quite dynamic and keep the film entertaining whe its not on screen.
The pacing is fantastic. Not a moment of screen time is wasted, and it advances as any good beast-film should. THE YETI works like Jaws (1975) and Grizzly (1976) in that it feels like a slasher film more than anything else. Like slashers, it doesn’t skimp on the gore, either – and the gore looks good! The creature design is also worth complimenting. It is beautiful to see an entire team behind the creature in these days of AI slop. Encounters with the creature are never safe, either; Each feels a little akin to the bear mauling scene in The Revenant (2015).
With the recent success of the Fallout (2024-) series, the arrival of THE YETI is kismet. Cinema is a form of escapism, one that can come in many shapes and sizes. And with the state of the world right now, we need it more than ever. With its comic book atmosphere, quick pacing, beautifully crafted creature and fantastically written story, THE YETI makes for one hell of a fun getaway.
THE YETI is now streaming on major digital platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rXJdyv5cRQ
