Skinwalker

Western Horror is a strange genre. This movie itself is a bit strange. You have two or three good actors and that's about it. Some of the dialogue is so painful I had to put Bengay on my popcorn. A completely trite plot with a bit of a twist, grave robbers rob the wrong grave and get cursed. But, it's not just a curse, there's a snake bite. It explores polygamy, the grey area of outlaws, briefly touches on a marshall with convictions (before his deputy chews up the entire scene and spits it out) a strange attraction that goes nowhere, misused characters and, I'm sorry, one of the worst actresses I've ever seen in a movie. The majority of the cast tries to pretend like they're in the old west at some undetermined time. The lead actress sounds like she's ordering avacado toast. With almost every line delivery.

There are good parts. The marshall, the head outlaw and Red Feather the Native chief do a fine job. Others in the cast do a passable job for a western horror film. Near the end they try to push some messages, which are obvious. All and all, It's not everyone's cup of tea. It's much longer than it should be. The writing isn't horrible, the directing? Not bad. The acting is fifty fifty.

If you're looking for a western horror film, I'd suggest Bone Tomahawk.

Nothing about this movie strikes me as being remotely authentic. Of particular note is the crisp white fabric worn by the Indians, and the teepee that looks like it would be gone in a good gust of wind. The acting looks like acting. People saying lines they have memorised with no real emotion behind them. Unconvincing all round, like someone's final year project at drama school.

Really interesting look at Skinwalker Ranch before it existed.

Why do so many horror films rely on "destroying the graves of the indigenous" to incite a supernatural power? Because every bit of land in the Western Hemisphere was stolen from indigenous peoples and they are buried all over the United States.

This film doesn't have a lot going for it in the monster department. The Skinwalker here seems to combine a rabies epidemic with some kind of werewolf zombie shapeshifter. It doesn't so much come in the night, but through the bite of those who encounter it. And it isn't even the real monster here.

The monster is the way people treat each other on the frontier, and how it turns good people bad. The good deputy kills an Apache who is trying to help. The woman with nursing skills and a good heart is married to an outlaw. The upstanding Mormon takes a child as his third bride. The outlaws help the people in trouble as much as the sheriff does. And children are turned into killers to help defend a city ravaged by plague.

The good guys aren't all good, and the bad guys aren't all bad. It's a place where everyone is both, and that in itself makes up for the flaws in the film.

Keep an open mind, but cheer for the Apaches.

Most of this movie is filmed likely in the same clump of trees and brush from different angles. We have the usual suspects of Outlaws, and Sheriffs, and Deputies, and of course... Skinwalkers. Plot / Story not very complex. People meet up and one gets 'turned' and then we go from there, but not very far.

I did like the end of the movie tho for what reason I'm still trying to figure out. 4/10.