Sasquatch Sunset follows a family of Sasquatch through a year of their lives. If you have ever wondered what a nature documentary about Sasquatch would look like, you will find your answer here. It hits all the important aspects of a good nature documentary: Diet, hygiene, mating, child-rearing, and adaptation. It also deals with environmental disruption, displacement, and rituals surrounding death.
Previews led me to believe this was a stoner movie. I figured I would sit in my seat for a little over an hour and watch Sassy get high on shrooms, which would surely have been entertaining in its own right. I went into it with low expectations, not anticipating substance. I didn’t forecast that I would tear up on occasion, but I did. I wasn’t expecting to generate thoughts and feelings about the characters, but I rooted for them. In fact, I felt similar feelings that I have had in the past when watching My Octopus Teacher (2020) and Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010). I was amazed by the ability of this film to evoke a response of sympathy and understanding.
Let me also take a moment to applaud the actors on their abilities to show the heart and character of these creatures. The ability to emote, while encased in a costume and full makeup, is a testament to the talent and skill of the performers. For that alone, this film is Oscar-worthy.
That said, there are some issues that may make this film skippable. Children
probably won’t understand the more graphic scenes. There is nudity and sexuality on display. Keeping in mind this is more like a nature documentary, there is full-frontal Sasquatch nudity in some scenes. Some scenes may be gratuitously gross by modern Western standards. There is scatological and drug-related humor, though neither are the focus of the film.
Sasquatch Sunset is currently showing in theaters across the US. The film stars Riley Keough, Jesse Eisenberg, and Christophe Zajac-Denek and was written and directed by David Zellner and Nathan Zellner, who also stars as the alpha male. Overall, the film has heart. On a scale of 1 to 4 stars, I give it 3.5.
Anita Sikser
