There is no doubt that I am a fan of the Small Town Monsters documentaries. When I found out they produced another doc, Skinwalker: Howl of the Rougarou, I was thrilled. None have disappointed me yet. They continue to release so many interesting documentaries, and I was lucky enough to be able to watch them. You can read my review here from On the trail of UFOs: Dark Sky and my opinion on Mothman’s Legacy here.
Has been Skinwalker: Howl of the Rougarou another shot for me? Or was it a failure? Read on for my spoiler-free review!
Skinwalker: Howl of the Rougarou synopsis:
Small Town Monsters and director Seth Breedlove lift the curtain on this little-known beast in their latest documentary, Skinwalker: Howl of the Rougarou. Breedlove interviewed local witnesses and experts who helped unveil the creature that will be featured in this first-ever look at what is often referred to as the Cajun werewolf. The Rougarou was long thought to be simply a folk tale meant to keep children away from the forests after dark, but many in southern Louisiana believe they’ve encountered a real, flesh-and-blood werewolf.
Do real werewolves exist? In the southern United States, legends tell of encounters with a creature that roams swamps and bayous. A creature that was here long before the immigrants who settled in the area. An ancient evil called Rougarou. Legends tell of a cannibalistic tribe of shapeshifters who retreated deep into the forests where they slowly lost touch with their humanity. A tribe that has grown into something much darker; a skinwalker. Now, nearly 400 years after the legend of the Rougarou began circulating, people are encountering the creature again. The truth behind these vicious and horrific encounters with the unknown will chill your blood. Does the Rougarou still prowl the swamps of southern Louisiana? The truth may surprise you…
My minds:
Rougarou is a new folklore creature for me. I didn’t know anything about it before seeing this film. Skinwalker: Howl of the Rougarou captivated and entertained me. It is not only well researched, it mixes and uses both history, re-enactments and real eyewitness accounts.
There’s so much to this hour-long documentary, but it’s far from boring or unclear. The film grabs you from the start. The landscape is incredible. The history of immigrants in the area is fascinating to hear and worth watching. Eyewitness accounts grab your attention.
While Mothman’s Legacy holds a special place in my heart, I believe this movie is now my favorite Small Town Monster movie. Honestly, I can’t find a single fault here.
My final thoughts:
I really liked this movie from start to finish. It caught my interest and I learned folklores and tales that are new to me.
If you like folklore and storytelling, werewolves and shapeshifters or just a great documentary, you definitely have to check this one out!
This film will be available on VOD platforms on September 14. Small Town Monsters will also be releasing special edition DVDs and Blu Rays on their online store.
Check out the trailer!