"Antlers" Is A Gruesome Monster Flick Steeped in Metaphor and Mythology

 

One of my most anticipated films of the year was one that was meant to come out in 2020 (maybe even 2019?) but got pushed back due to the pandemic. However, that movie is out in theaters this weekend, and just in time for the spooky holiday season. I'm talking, of course, of writer/director Scott Cooper's horror/drama Antlers. From the moment I first laid eyes on the trailer, I was immediately hooked. It promised a sense of dread, a sense of mythology and folklore, and a creature worthy of nightmares. So, did it deliver on that promise? Keep on reading and find out.

In an isolated Oregon town, middle-school teacher Julia (Keri Russell) and her sheriff brother Paul (Jesse Plemons) become entangled with an enigmatic student of hers named Lucas (Jeremy T. Thomas). Lucas is a troubled kid, who comes from a rough upbringing. The small town that he lives in seems almost decayed due to the rampant drug distribution and addiction found throughout, of which his father has also fallen victim. The thing about Lucas is, though, and the reason why Julia and Paul get so caught up in his life, is because Lucas has secrets...dark secrets...secrets that lead to terrifying encounters with a legendary ancestral creature who came before them. When all is said and done, Antlers is a cautionary tale, one with a message that sometimes gets lost in the mix of the narrative, but one that is important to remember.

From the very beginning the film to the inescapable end, Antlers is a narrative that grapples with difficult topics, like drug addiction and child abuse. Director Scott Cooper did not shy away from confronting these topics, approaching them almost face-to-face if you will. The addition of the Native American myth of the Wendigo - a manifestation of the evil mankind can wrought and the fear that comes from dark places - was an interesting device to explore these conversations. So much of this movie is told through symbolic imagery, from Lucas' addictive father's transformation into the Wendigo (not a spoiler, it's briefly in the trailer), to the infestation that the Wendigo can create. It's a brilliantly told story that does not shy from the visceral gore and violence that a creature-feature like this would entail.

Keri Russell gives a wonderful performance here as Julia. Julia is a product of the same Oregon town, though after leaving it all behind for California, she is drawn back to reunite with her brother. Jesse Plemons is a fantastic actor, and there hasn't been a performance of his I didn't like. Both Paul and Julia, as characters, are interesting in their own right. They - like everyone else in their town - have a dark past, one that is hard to confront. Much of their story is merely hinted at, as the main focus of the movie is on Lucas and his secret. The problem is, that secret doesn't remain a secret for long. Once the Wendigo appears, it's a tense and horrifying ride. All that being said, young Jeremy T. Thomas steals the show as Lucas. He carries most of the narrative load here, and he does such a phenomenal job with it. 

If you like scary movies, then check this one out this weekend. It's much more than just a monster movie, and the themes it addresses are well-told and handled effectively. The use of the creature is really awesome, and there were a couple of moments were I practically jumped out of my seat. Cooper's direction is really great here, and I'd be remised if I didn't mention that Guillermo Del Toro - the master of monster movies himself - was a driving force behind this flick, and produced it as well. I highly recommend this one; I had high expectations going in, and for me they were met. Antlers is awesome, and a perfect Halloween treat for you cinema-lovers.