Bambi: The Reckoning

Deceptive though it might seem, high camp can be a tricky artform to pull off successfully on screen, especially in genres like horror and sci-fi. It requires deftly managed, evenly sustained pacing - not necessarily at the breakneck speed of a screwball comedy, but certainly steady in its regular dispensing of delicious nuggets of wry and macabre wit with bridge segments in between them that move the story along without overstaying their welcome. Sadly, however, in his fourth feature outing, director Dan Allen only gets this down pat about half of the time in this twisted and sinister retelling of the classic Felix Salten 1923 novel about a motherless roe coping with life in the forest. In this ghoulish iteration of the tale, a divorced mother (Roxanne McKee) and her 13-year-old son (Tom Mulheron) are on their way to visit her in-laws' family after her ex-husband (Adrian Relph) summarily ditches his promise to spend the weekend with the boy. However, the duo's journey is interrupted when their ride is brazenly attacked on a remote roadway by a ferocious mutant adult stag that looks like something out of the "Jurassic Park/Jurassic World" movies only with cheesier special effects (but with a supremely stylish set of hooves that resemble those in the inner sleeve artwork from the Rolling Stones' Tattoo You LP (1981)). Not only does the woodland monster go after the stunned mother and son, but also all of their relatives, including the family matriarch (Nicola Wright), who suffers from a form of dementia but seems to have an unusual (but unexplained) psychic bond to Bambi. This scenario is further complicated by a band of apparent bounty hunters who are charged with capturing and/or killing the creature, as well as other equally gruesome wild animals that have also mysteriously mutated, including a pack of rabbits whose carnivorous proclivities put the bunny from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975) to shame. The reasons behind the hunt don't become clear until well into the film (after more than enough of the aforementioned protracted narrative hammocks), but they nonetheless provide the absent justification behind much of the story (as well as the source of Bambi's unrepentant rage), making for a final act that compensates for many of the picture's prior shortcomings. To its credit, the film's campy elements are well done, but there just aren't enough of them and they're a little too loosely strung together (at least initially), almost feeling as if the in-between sequences amount to little more than excessive padding to fill out the runtime. In addition, there's a certain predictability to the narrative wherein it's easy to guess who's going to get done in and when, as well as who ultimately ends up surviving the ordeal. I was also somewhat puzzled by the preponderance of F-bombs scattered throughout the screenplay, a count that rivals "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013) at times, particularly for a story involving younger characters. These issues are somewhat made up for by the inclusion of several surprisingly touching moments, an unexpectedly nice counterpart to the graphic (but generally in-context) gratuitousness that pervades the film, often depicted in colorful and cleverly raucous ways (remember what I said about those bunnies). Indeed, those who enjoy their horror with a touch of dark humor are sure to enjoy this production from the makers of the "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey" films, though don't be disappointed if you still come away from it hungering for a little more, especially in light of this offering's scant 1:21:00 duration. Nevertheless, come the movie's end, don't be surprised if you still find yourself heaving a heavy sigh and heartily exclaiming "Deer me!"

Bambi: The Reckoning had a few decent moments, but overall it fell flat due to a lack of depth and emotional connection. The story felt underdeveloped, with barely any world-building or explanation around the who, where, or why of what was happening. None of the characters were particularly likable or compelling.

Even the kid, who should have been a sympathetic figure, just came across as kind of a blank slate. The mom made questionable choices, especially in how she handled the broken relationship between the father and son, and that dynamic was never explored in a meaningful way. The film seemed to rely on shock or sentimentality in the final act, but it didn't earn that emotional payoff.

The ending felt heavy-handed for a movie that hadn't taken the time to make you care about anyone. I usually enjoy these B-movie horror spins on fairy tales or childhood IPs, but this one just didn't land. It lacked heart, clarity, and ultimately any real reason to get invested.

Bambi: The Reckoning (2025) is the 4th entry in the Twisted Childhood Universe and the horror movie take on Bambi. Then, I saw this movie was receiving positive reviews by many people unlike the first 3 movies in this cinematic universe and I totally understand because this movie was phenomenal.

Positives for Bambi: The Reckoning (2025): Out of all the horror takes of these beloved Disney animated characters, I have to say that Bambi is the scariest and most terrifying character in this universe. This movie does what the other movies in the universe have done and I like it. You are genuinely sacred for this group of characters as they are being hunted down by Bambi. The acting from the cast is pretty good with Roxanne McKee, Tom Mulheron, Nicola Wright, Samira Mighty, Alex Cooke, Russell Geoffrey Banks and Joseph Greenwood. The kills are very brutal and probably some of the most unique in this universe with what is being done here. There is a major plot point in this movie that came out of nowhere and it was very different from the other movies. And finally, the last couple of minutes in this movie is easily the saddest and most emotional moment in this universe and I have to give props to the filmmakers for pulling the scene off perfectly.

Overall, Bambi: The Reckoning (2025) is a monumental win for the Twisted Childhood Universe and especially for me as a fan of this messed up cinematic universe and while I understand that some people are still not won over by this idea, I still have a blast with this insane idea and I will continue to enjoy this insane cinematic universe in the future.

I walked into this movie not hoping for much, but when I tell you how much of a cinematic masterpiece this movie is it's true. You can truly tell how much time and effort and emotion was put into this. This is all I have to say, I just need to meet the character minimum which I think is very stupid.

Look, Bambi: The Reckoning isn't a good movie in the traditional sense, and that's exactly why it's worth watching. This gloriously unhinged revenge-horror parody takes Disney's most delicate deer and turns him into a bloodthirsty woodland avenger. It's absurd, over-the-top, and completely aware of how ridiculous it is.

You don't watch this movie for nuance or storytelling, you watch it to see Bambi tear through people like Rambo with antlers.

It's the perfect movie for a late-night hangout with friends, some popcorn, and a sense of humor.

Is it bad? Absolutely.

Did I enjoy it? Without a doubt.