The Bad Shepherd

'The Bad Shepherd' takes a well-trodden path in the thriller genre, presenting a premise most of us have seen before, i.e. A group of friends are thrust into a moral dilemma and their unity crumbles as tensions rise, before deadly results ensue. While this setup doesn't break new ground, the film delivers a decent enough experience for fans of the genre.

It's a simple tale - a group of mates think they've accidentally run over a woman, but, before they can phone an ambulance, they discover she has a bag full of money on her - guess what... they think better of calling 911 straight away!

What sets 'The Bad Shepherd' apart is that it at least makes viewers question their own moral compass. Each dilemma the characters face feels grounded in reality, forcing us to ponder what we'd do in that situation? Even if the cast lacks any big names, the performances are perfect for what they need to be and the actors bring a sense of authenticity to their roles, which helps elevate the average script.

However, the ending may leave some viewers thinking that it belongs to a different movie, deviating from the grounded tone established earlier. I didn't mind it spinning to something - in my opinion - completely different, some may feel a little cheated by the 'reveal.'

In the end, 'The Bad Shepherd' is a solid enough thriller that doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to - it's a worthwhile watch.

This movie starts off bad and gets worse. So many things do not make sense. First, they are just going to bury a body in the woods in the middle of winter like the ground isn't frozen? They just happen to have all the tools with them?

The way the whole police interaction went was over the top. Thinking they would just shoot an officer in the open and noone is looking for him?

The "bad guy" shows up and is the obviously the bad guy. I mean he is in a black turtle neck and sports coat. So 90s and cheesy. It starts off teasing of vampires or something, and not in a good way.

The acting was terrible. It feelslike a bad 90s movie in so many ways. None of the characters are likeable.

If thus is a ruse they repeatedly use, why don't people know that peopleare missing and dying in high numbers and avoid going there?

I do not recommend. It was not physiological and not a thriller. Honestly I only finished it because it was background noise an i wanted to confirm I was right about the premise I called 5 minutes in.

The storyline in the story was incredibly impactful, and it left me thinking long after I finished it. It's one of those narratives that make you reflect on your own values, the strength of your friendships, and even your understanding of yourself. It dives deep into the complexities of human relationships and what happens when the people you think you know best are put in a situation where their loyalty and character are truly tested.

At first glance, it may seem like a typical story about friendship or personal growth, but as the plot unfolds, it reveals something much deeper. The characters in this story, who are portrayed as friends who have known each other for a long time, are forced into a difficult situation that causes their bonds to unravel. This exposes a harsh truth: you can spend years with people, sharing memories and experiences, and still not truly know who they are when their principles are challenged.

This theme is both sad and eye-opening because it sheds light on the fragile nature of human relationships. It shows that people, even those who we consider closest to us, may not always live up to the ideals we believe they represent. The characters' responses to the situation they face reveal their true selves in ways that we, as the audience, might not have expected. It's a jarring realization that, sometimes, loyalty and character can be easily swayed by external pressures or personal flaws.

In any friendship, there's often an assumption that the people closest to us will act in a way that aligns with the values we hold dear. Whether it's standing by us during difficult times, offering support when needed, or sharing our same sense of right and wrong, we often look to our friends to mirror our own beliefs and ethics. This story challenges that assumption, highlighting the complexity of human nature and the unpredictability of how people will act when put under stress.

One of the most thought-provoking aspects of the story is how it reveals that we rarely know someone as deeply as we think we do. Our relationships with others are often based on shared experiences, laughter, and memories, but these aspects don't necessarily give us insight into the core of a person's character. The story takes us through a series of events that test the friends' loyalty to each other and force them to make difficult decisions. As the plot progresses, it becomes clear that loyalty is not just about being there for someone in good times; it's about standing by them, even when doing so might not be convenient, easy, or morally clear-cut.

This realization can be painful because it challenges the very foundation of trust that friendships are built on. It asks the reader to reconsider what it means to be truly loyal, to question whether loyalty is an unwavering commitment or whether it's something that can be compromised depending on the circumstances. It also forces you to examine your own character-how you would react if you were placed in a similar situation, and what your choices would say about you.

As you reflect on the characters' decisions and the eventual fallout, it becomes clear that the story isn't just about the breakdown of friendship, but also about self-discovery. Through the actions of others, each character is forced to confront their own beliefs, values, and boundaries. It's a painful process, but ultimately, it's an opportunity for growth and understanding.

In conclusion, this storyline is far more than just a simple narrative about friendship; it's an exploration of human nature and the complexities of personal values. It forces the audience to grapple with difficult questions about loyalty, trust, and the people we choose to surround ourselves with. In the end, it serves as a reminder that true character is often revealed under pressure, and that sometimes, those we think we know best may surprise us when tested. The emotional weight of the story lingers long after the final page, leaving a lasting impression on how we view our own relationships and the values that guide us.

This movie started out really well. And then the story got more and more ludicrous. If you're a hunter, outdoorsman or know anything about firearms, you'll have a good laugh. They are using WW2 era rifles. Clearly from the bargain bin in the prop shop. The director seems more concerned with having fashionable haircuts and clothing than being anywhere close to what hunters wear. And the tired cliche coonskin hat? Seriously?? The 1920s era bear trap? What is this - Looney Tunes? The only redeeming value of this film is the scenery. For urbanites. I'm still trying to understand the thought process of the writer. Shame on the producers for doing zero research on hunting.

This is REALLY bad. The movie never ended up making any sense to me. You never really get the backstory of the lady from the short beginning of the movie or how/why she was injured.

The "leader" of this 4-man pack is just evil from their intro with no explanation of why he's the way he is; it just makes you hate him from the beginning and anxiously wait for him to be picked off.

The main villain (also the director), come on man! That "twist" in the end was a complete joke. Without spoilers, How the EFFF were you walking around in sunlight the entire time if you were what you were? THAT arc would have made for a way more interesting story rather than waiting until the last 15 mins to reveal it. You owe me for the 90 mins I just wasted; I should include my cash app. I'd talk about the acting but it really wasn't as bad as some of the other reviews say, but the non-cohesive story is the tragedy of the movie.