Dean Cain plays Bailey, a small town sheriff whose wife disappeared and who is now overprotective of his 17 year-old daughter. He is convinced that his wife will return. He also might have witnessed the brutal murder of a girl in his teens with whom he was frolicking out in the woods. His deputies are a heavy guy who gets to play the chaperone of Bailey's daughter; and an older American-Indian.
Suddenly there's a brutal crime that reminds the Indian of something that happened long ago. Bailey realizes that it wasn't an animal attack but a human deed. Meanwhile a new teen guy arrives in town and Bailey's daughter falls for him, much the the chagrin of Bailey who wants her to remain pure.
More people start disappearing and Bailey discovers in his research and through his nightmares and memories that what may be out there on the loose is a windigo, a shapeshifting human who devours and tears apart other humans and even starts eating itself. The old town's doctor who acts suspiciously when confronted by Bailey finally admits that in the past a windigo was in town but was eliminated.
When finally the daughter and the boy are getting hot and heavy the windigo attacks but the sheriffs arrive in time. There's a surprise revelation as to the identity of the maneater.
This is a very good horror movie, hampered a bit by a low budget. Fortunately they did use all the resources on gore and violence. Acting is good and so is the script. Cain's character in his obsession about his wife can be annoying. There's a gorgeous diner owner/employee who has the hots for him but he claims to be married. It's not clear sometimes if some scenes are flashbacks, memories, or nightmares. The sexy teens are particularly likable and fun. They are still innocent and full of nervous excitement at the prospect of love- unlike cynical city kids. Their interaction is very well portrayed. What is lacking is better equipment and better lighting to give the movie a better look. Overall a very entertaining movie for horror fans that deserves a sequel.
