‘The Woodmen’: Feral Humans Run Rampant In New Found Footage Horror [Giallo Julian’s Indie Spotlight]
The woods — they’re spooky, right? They can be, at least, with all the trees and poison berries and squirrels and… worst of all… the men. Woodmen, to be exact, which according to the internet are “people who frequent the woods.” Frequenting the woods? Away from such necessities as wi-fi and Beefy 5-Layer Burritos? These folks are practically inhuman, which—as we all know—makes them scary. Terrifying, even! What frightening subject matter for a horror movie, especially if it’s of the found-footage nature!
With these chilling images fresh in your mind, you’re in the perfect headspace for me to tell you about Joshua Brucker’s upcoming found-footage horror feature, The Woodmen.
Read the full synopsis below:
“The Woodmen follows three individuals who find themselves in a fight for their lives as they attempt to escape from a clan of feral humans that call the Great Smoky Mountains home. Together, they battle the cunning and elusive adversary that wants nothing more than to protect their land with deadly and savage force.”
Sounds like they’re putting Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes and Jack Ketchum’s The Offspring into a mixer, then filming as they blend. So, you know, right up my alley! The “feral-people-that-murder” subgenre has always piqued my interest, even though I don’t watch them as often as others. Maybe this flick will change that!
Of the film, Brucker said:
“The Woodmen brings everything I love about found-footage horror. I’m also extremely fascinated by the idea that our National Parks hold dark secrets, and this idea that feral humans call these parks home is just an absolutely terrifying thought.”
Ah yes. The secrets that our National Parks keep from us… like Bigfoot and the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. Feral humans would fit right in alongside brooding trees, ferocious wildlife, and hikers who play their music aloud.
Brucker went on to say:
“I have been a huge fan of the strange and unusual. This film is based on the legends and lore of Appalachia and poses a few interesting questions. It also forces us to take a look at our own lives, and how accustomed we’ve grown to the privileges we have living in such an advanced world. What happens when you’re forced to look at brutality and savagery directly in the eyes? Those eyes look very much like yours. And what would you do to survive?”
Good question! Not going to lie, there probably wouldn’t be any “surviving” on my end.
The film will star Anna Clary (Late Checkout) and Dan Grogan (The Mutilator 2) as Dawn Becker and Dr. Scott Laroche, the intrepid explorers trying to escape the mountainside. Hunter Nino will play Ben Logan, a park service ranger that reluctantly joins the duo. Cody Vinson, Bryden DiGennaro, and Chiko Mendez will make up the feral clan terrorizing our heroes. Also, Josh Nanocchio of the YouTube channel What Lurks Beneath will have a cameo.
“I can say The Woodmen will bring tension, suspense, and non-stop, in-your-face horror. The cast, the crew, everything about this production has me excited beyond belief,” said Brucker. “I can’t wait to bring this film to life and hopefully create something that every horror fan can enjoy.”
The Woodmen’s Kickstarter is live now, so consider supporting the film right here!
Until next time…
Ciao, friends!
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