In case you were unaware, comedian-turned-director Bobcat Goldthwait is tossing his hat into the found footage horror genre, tackling a familiar subject that has yet to gain much validity outside of the movie-of-the-week genre or the comedy market. That's right, Bigfoot is getting the big-screen scare treatment in WILLOW CREEK, Goldthwait's attempt at keeping you out of the woods, starring Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson as a pair of documentarians attempting to capture their own footage of the mysterious mythical creature. What transpires, based on this trailer, is a trip down BLAIR WITCH lane, as all the usual tropes are applied, including: clueless couple, shaky camera, screaming, and beligerent backwoods townfolk.
Pack your tent and lace up your hiking boots:
Here's the lengthy synopsis:
Jim and his girlfriend Kelly are in Willow Creek, California, to retrace the steps of Bigfoot researchers Patterson and Gimlin, who, in 1967, recorded the most famous film of the legendary monster. Kelly is a skeptic, along for the ride to spend time with her boyfriend between acting gigs. Jim, a believer, hopes to capture footage of his own, so his camera is constantly rolling. The small town is a mecca to the Bigfoot community; sasquatch statues guard the local businesses, murals of the missing link line the roads, and Bigfoot burgers are the town delicacy. The couple interview locals who range from skeptic to believer and from manic to completely menacing. Some of the stories they hear are of chance encounters with a gentle creature, while others are tales of mysterious eviscerations. On the day that Jim and Kelly plan on hiking into the woods to look for proof, they are given a simple warning: “It’s not a joke. You shouldn’t go there.” Despite the ominous message and Kelly’s own reservations, they head deep into the forest to set up camp. The events that follow will make them wish they had simply spent the night at the Bigfoot Motel.
I think this could be fun, but I highly doubt that it's going to scare the bejeezus out of anyone. Goldthwait has been on an odd career trajectory with pics like SHAKES THE CLOWN and GOD BLESS AMERICA being mostly niche films that people either love or hate and WILLOW CREEK seems to be going for the "legit" horror market, so it's hard to know what to expect. I'm intrigued for sure, but not chomping at the bit.
WILLOW CREEK is set to play at Fantasia Fest next month and will likely find a release date sometime after that.