Willow Creek Review

Willow Creek Review

Author: Horror Movie Talk: Horror Movie Review April 13, 2022 Duration: 1:06:57

We saw Willow Creek on Vudu and it was everything that I remember about talking to Bigfoot believers.

@dgoebel00 on Instagram provided this amazing artwork. Follow him and check out his website.

https://youtu.be/wJ5GEkHsnrs

Synopsis

Willow Creek is a found footage film focused on bigfoot enthusiast and documentarian Jim (Bryce Johnson) and his girlfriend Kelly (Alexie Gilmore). 

Jim and Kelly are visiting Willow Creek, and the site of the original bigfoot footage shoot, the Patterson-Gimlin film shoot

Jim has been a passionate Bigfoot believer his whole life and is super-excited to make this documentary that allows him to pay homage to the epicenter of his obsession.

Kelly is not as crazy about the idea, but she is very supportive of his effort and holds the camera a lot of the time.

While Jim interviews locals about the legend, we learn a few things about the mystery of bigfoot before the couple take the plunge into the forest primeval and get more bigfeet than they bargained for.

Willow Creek Movie Poster

Review

Willow Creek is a remarkably simple film that capitalizes on everyone’s fear of the woods at night.

It’s not the best found footage camping film (Blair Witch), but it’s so sparse and short that I really can’t hate it.

The direction by Bobcat Goldthwait is simple and unobtrusive, but it makes sure to pay homage to all the tropes that you might expect it to. 

Willow Creek knows it’s lane, which is cheap, barebones, short, and mostly improvised. As long as you go into it with that in mind, it probably won’t offend your sensibilities.

If you are a person who is terrified of the woods at night, this is a fabulous way to scare yourself silly, or you could also try the slightly better version of this, Backcountry

One of the most questionable choices in Willow Creek is the decision to make the whole movie rest on a 25 minute long single shot toward the end of the movie. Your enjoyment of the entire movie will hinge on how this shot strikes you, and strangely it worked better on me on my second viewing. 

Overall Willow Creek is a fun found footage movie with a nice mix of subtle comedy and spooky moments.

Watch Willow Creek

Watch on Amazon

Score

6/10

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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens after the credits roll on a scary movie, when you're dissecting the jump scares and debating the monster's motives. Horror Movie Talk captures that exact feeling, serving up weekly discussions that are as much about the genuine love of the genre as they are about critique. Hosted by a team whose passion is palpable, this podcast delves into everything from the latest chilling release haunting theaters to those hidden gems-or notorious flops-you can find on streaming services. The analysis is sharp and deeply opinionated, but the chemistry between the hosts often leads the conversation into unexpectedly funny territory. It’s this blend of thoughtful review and spontaneous humor that defines the show. You'll hear passionate debates about cinematic technique, nods to classic influences, and honest reactions to whether a film truly delivers the scares. Tuning in each Wednesday feels like pulling up a chair with friends who’ve just seen the same movie, armed with strong opinions and a willingness to laugh at the absurdities that make horror so enduring. For anyone who lives for that post-viewing breakdown, this is a consistently engaging listen.
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