(Spoilers Ahead)
Sasquatch Sunset is a bold reinvention of silent cinema, merging breathtaking visuals, grotesque humour, and a haunting ecological message to create a film that lingers long after the credits roll. Set in the raw, unspoiled wilderness, this nearly wordless tale of a Sasquatch family’s struggles combines the emotional immediacy of classic silent films with the dark, unsettling sensibilities of modern cinema.
From its startling opening—where one Sasquatch sneezes messily on another during grooming—it’s clear this is no ordinary nature film. Moments of grotesque comedy, like this one or a young Sasquatch nearly losing its tongue to a turtle creature (flung violently across a river in retaliation), are woven into a narrative that explores themes of survival, selfishness, and the devastating impact of human encroachment.
A crude, doggy-style mating scene early in the film serves as a Chekhov’s gun, its primal intimacy foreshadowing the eventual birth of a newborn that is anything but cute. This is not the cuddly world of Harry and the Hendersons. The baby, raw and monstrous in its vulnerability, symbolises the fragility of life amidst environmental destruction, a far cry from the polished sentimentality of mainstream creature features.
The true star of Sasquatch Sunset is its visual storytelling. Filmed against a backdrop of towering forests, serene rivers, and snow-dusted expanses, the film captures the wild in all its brutal beauty. Every frame is meticulously composed, immersing viewers in a world that feels both alien and achingly familiar. The silence (coloured in by a mostly acousitic guitar score) amplifies the power of these visuals, forcing the audience to focus on every detail—the twitch of an ear, the rustle of leaves, the ominous crack of a distant tree.
The aforementioned score, a blend of naturalistic sounds and dissonant tones, heightens the tension and emotional weight. It’s a haunting reminder of nature’s fragility, especially in scenes where human interference looms large, such as the ominous appearance of a red X painted on a tree.
For audiences accustomed to fast-paced, dialogue-heavy films, Sasquatch Sunset offers a refreshing change. Its storytelling relies on expression, movement, and sound, echoing silent film classics. However, its grotesque humour and ecological themes place it firmly in the contemporary world, making it a natural companion to near-silent modern works.
What makes Sasquatch Sunset truly stand out is its tonal balancing act. Dark humour pervades the film, from the Sasquatch’s clumsy exploration of an abandoned human campsite—where they inadvertently turn on a device that blares Erasure’s Love to Hate You—to a shocking scene of the creatures defecating on a newly discovered road in protest of human encroachment. These absurd moments are juxtaposed with devastating tragedies, such as a Sasquatch drowning under the weight of a human-felled tree.
This juxtaposition mirrors the duality of nature itself: beautiful yet brutal, resilient yet fragile. The Sasquatch are not romanticised but portrayed as creatures with flaws and primal instincts, much like humans. Their struggles, from finding food to dealing with internal conflict, feel both alien and deeply relatable.
In an age of endless streaming options and CGI spectacles, Sasquatch Sunset feels radical. Its near silent storytelling, while a nod to early cinema, feels urgently modern, especially in its ecological messaging. The film’s raw, unsentimental portrayal of nature holds up a mirror to humanity’s destructive tendencies. It doesn’t preach but instead compels viewers to reflect on their relationship with the natural world.
Unlike mainstream family films about mythical creatures, Sasquatch Sunset doesn’t offer easy answers or heartwarming resolutions. It ends on a note of bittersweet survival, with the Sasquatch family navigating an increasingly hostile world. The newborn’s presence, fragile yet tenacious, is a flicker of hope amidst despair.
For fans of nature cinema, silent films, or thought-provoking storytelling, Sasquatch Sunset is essential viewing. Its stunning cinematography, dark humour, and haunting themes make it one of the most original films in recent memory. Whether you’re drawn to its ecological message or captivated by its breathtaking visuals, this film demands to be seen—and discussed.
A triumph of silent cinema for the modern age!
Let’s drop the Hallmark card fantasies. Nature isn’t serene. It’s not here to cradle you while you write love letters to daffodils.
Beautiful Little Fools will be a stunning hardcover anthology celebrating and interrogating the glamour, obsession, and decadence of the Gilded Age, inspired
Are you a writer with a winter-themed story waiting to shine? The Broken Spine is seeking submissions for its 2025 Festive Short
The Broken Spine is a poetry and arts collective proudly published on the coastal edge of North-West England. Founded in 2019 by Alan Parry and Paul Robert Mullen – two school friends reunited after twenty years through a mutual love of poetry.
