‘Cursed Waters: Creature of Lake Okanagan’ Review: A Surprisingly Poignant Cryptid Documentary
Legends of Lake and Sea Monsters likely predate the invention of the wheel, so it makes sense that nearly every continent has its own localized version of the Loch Ness Monster. Having grown up in Canada, I was made aware of a plethora of bizarre creatures that allegedly inhabit the Great Lakes (from Champy to the Turtle Lake Monster), but none of them could ever match the popularity of British Columbia’s iconic horned mascot, the one and only Ogopogo.
And with the monster’s reputation only growing now that online cryptozoology has united hobbyists and researchers from around the world, it was just a matter of time until the Small Town Monsters team would travel to the Great White North in order to tackle the Ogopogo with a brand-new documentary. Appropriately titled Cursed Waters: Creature of Lake Okanagan, the new film stands out by celebrating native beliefs that have been routinely overlooked during most conversations about what lies in the lake.
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If you’re not already familiar with the horned beast and its tales of demanding live sacrifice from natives and scaring away foreign settlers, Cursed Waters does a phenomenal job of getting viewers caught up with all the classic myths and so-called “evidence” dating back hundreds of years. From stories of horses being sucked down into the water to the infamous 8mm recording depicting a mysterious winding figure making its way across the lake, the film covers all of its bases before diving into less explored territory—though even these obligatory segments are presented in an intelligent and oddly comforting manner.
I’m not sure if it’s the fact these stories are being told by non-fanatics working alongside native experts or if it’s simply the way that Eli Watson and the rest of the Small Town Monsters team have improved their storytelling skills over time (just compare the trailer for this one with their early work if you need proof of that), but the result is that Cursed Waters succeeds where many other cryptid docs have failed.
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Instead of capitalizing on the audience’s existing beliefs, the film instead invites us to take a trip alongside our intrepid filmmakers as we get to know local figures and hear their sides of the story. There’s also a healthy appreciation for the Okanagan Valley itself, with the film even boasting an ecological slant that I think makes it much more impactful than your run-of-the-mill cryptid-hunting show – especially with all the gorgeous aerial footage of the British Columbia Valley.
By forgoing cheap frights and exaggerated conclusions and instead focusing on the vivid tapestry of culture surrounding the Ogopogo rather than the beast itself, the movie remains a fun watch even if you think that lake monsters are about as real as the Tooth Fairy. That being said, there’s plenty of (admittedly anecdotal) evidence here for cryptozoology nuts like myself to sink their teeth into, though your mileage may vary depending on how seriously you take this kind of research.
The movie actually includes an in-depth discussion of the most recent (and viral) photograph of the Ogopogo, which is the highlight of the feature. While this segment will likely divide audiences due to the image’s Rorschach-like properties (almost every single viewer seems to have a wildly different interpretation of the photo), this is precisely why I think it was a smart idea to focus on the people living alongside the legend.
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Naturally, there are a few familiar blunders along the way, such as a handful of redundant interviews and exaggerated theories based on flimsy eye-witness accounts. But these issues all seem quite small when compared to the genuine human warmth present in the rest of the experience. In fact, while I’m a huge fan of cryptid docs, Cursed Waters is a far cry from the usual talking heads and horror movie re-enactments that usually populate the genre.
That’s not to say that there aren’t any re-enactments or even CGI representations of the creature here. It’s just that the filmmakers make a point of only depicting the beast as either some form of real biological animal or a sacred water spirit that protects the lake—never as a sensationalized monster meant to frighten audiences like a cheap mockumentary. Personally, I even think that the fin-eared design that the artists went with ended up looking kind of cute!
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So whether or not you actually believe in the Ogopogo, I’d recommend Cursed Waters: Creature of Lake Okanagan to anyone interested in dipping their toes into cryptozoology and Canadian First Nations folklore. While I don’t think that the documentary will change anyone’s mind about the existence of lake monsters, it’s loaded with fascinating (if occasionally accidental) insight into the evolution of myths while also shining a much-needed spotlight on an underappreciated part of Canuck culture.
And with the end product being fun and informative in equal measure (I had no idea that the name “Ogopogo” was actually borrowed from an antique novelty song rather than any form of Indigenous culture), I can only hope that Small Town Monsters’ next cryptozoological endeavor is as inspired as this one.
Cursed Waters: Creature of Lake Okanagan is available now on Prime Video, though you can also visit the official Small Town Monsters website to buy it on physical media!
Summary
Cursed Waters: Creature of Lake Okanagan is loaded with fascinating (if occasionally accidental) insight into the evolution of myths while also shining a much-needed spotlight on First Nations folklore.
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