Ancestral Beasts is a haunting creature feature (Fantasia 2026 review)

Morgan Holmstrom as Elyse in Ancestral Beasts - Courtesy of Michif Koonteur

Writer/director Tim Riedel's Ancestral Beasts is a smart creature feature that uses a monster to explore the trauma of its protagonist, a young woman name Elyse (Morgan Holmstrom). The cause of her trauma is shown in the film's opening minutes and then explored throughout the rest of the runtime. While the film certainly leans into the horror and has some bloody moments at times, it focuses on character above all else, which grounds the story.

From the outset, Elyse is spiraling. She nearly loses her job working at a bar because she lashes out at a customer. Her older and super protective sister, Nikki (Darla Contois), intervenes and demands that Elyse's boss not fire her. However, Elyse decides that she needs a break from her sister and a means to process her trauma, which involves the fact that their mother committed suicide. So, she decides to take up residence for a few days at a remote cabin that their aunt abandoned.

The cabin isn't exactly in tip top shape. In fact, it resembles the cabin from Evil Dead and gives off super creepy vibes. No one has lived in it for years, to the point dust cakes all of the furniture. There's also a mysterious hole in the ground, and we soon find out that's where the creature lives. We never quite see the creature in full, which is a wise choice, as it leaves more to the viewer's imagination. However, we do see its long arm and fingernails, as well as a centipede-like form that it takes. The creature never veers into B movie territory, and it also makes short work of nearly everyone it comes in contact with. Again, there are a few bloody scenes in this feature, but the gore is never over the top.

Much of this movie is carried by Holmstrom's performance. She's the real standout here, and I'd love to see her land other lead roles. Elyse isn't an easy character to play, considering the emotional weight and baggage that needs to be conveyed, and Holmstrom portrays the character's complexity quite well, including her desire to heal. Additionally, though the film deals with some heavy subjects, including mental health, suicide, and broader Indigenous generational trauma, there's still some humor that doesn't lessen the film's overall themes. There's some great back and forth between Elyse and Nikki and Elyse and a redneck neighbor she meets at the cabin. Amid the heaviness, there's definitely a few jokes that land.

Additionally, the film handles the horror well, too. The creature specifically is used effectively as a broader metaphor to convey Elyse's emotional pain and even her anger. It has to become something that she can control so she can properly heal. This element also lifts this film above standard creature feature territory. The creature's purpose isn't necessarily just to kill; rather, it's an extension of Elyse's fragile mental state.

Overall, Ancestral Beasts is quite a powerful film about mental health and trauma. Though there's a vicious creature used as a narrative device, the film grounds itself in Holmstrom's riveting performance as Elyse, a young woman struggling to keep it together. As for the horror elements, there's plenty of that too and the creature certainly racks up a body count. This is a well-crafted film that uses genre filmmaking to explore weightier themes.

Ancestral Beasts just screened at the Fantasia Film Festival.