When I first heard about Sasquatch Sunset, I’ll admit I was intrigued. I enjoy Jesse Eisenberg and a film about a family of sasquatches trying to survive in a world dominated by mankind is an interesting concept. But then, I heard the negative reactions the film got out of press screenings and film festivals, with folks walking out of their showings. That’s hardly a good sign. But “Press on!” I thought. Then I heard that the film has absolutely no dialogue, just grunts and groans. Interesting, but not a deal breaker. Unfortunately, though, I should have listened to the warning signs.
The film follows the titular family of Sasquatches as they attempt to live their lives and survive the dangerous wilderness they inhabit. The film takes us through many scenarios throughout a single year of their existence, some serious and some attempted comedy mixed throughout. That’s really all there is to the plot.
The film relies heavily on forced comedic scenarios and really over the top body humor. After kicking off with a really gorgeous montage of forested areas, we dive right into the deep end of the poop infested waters with a prolonged sex bit where two sasquatches are engaging in lovemaking while their children look on. It’s a weird way to start a movie, but they are animalistic in nature, so I’ll give it to them.
That’s really where the good ends for most of the movie, though. What proceeds are improper vignettes that display the filmmakers’ affinity for poop and pee, with plenty of shots of the family throwing it all around, peeing on things, vomiting up things and so on. I’m not sure if these were attempted humorous moments, but they really did nothing. I was over it by the second such occurrence.
What did pleasantly surprise me, though, was how consistent the acting was for the primates. It’s not easy playing something that isn’t human, and Eisenberg, Riley Keough and company pulled through well. The scenery was also incredibly consistent, and there were some really beautiful looking shots.
These moments are few and far between in Sasquatch Sunset though. And after an hour of poop bits and seeing this family bumble around as if it’s their first day on Earth, the film speed runs through 20 minutes of actual meaningful commentary at the end. Deforestation, forest fires, wildlife hunting and more are given serious moments as if to comment on the bad that humans bring to nature.
News flash guys, if you wanted to make an impact, you’d cut back on the gross bits and do more of that. But no, instead it becomes an afterthought at the end of the film to get you to think you saw something meaningful. Do not fall for it, as there is no meaning to this movie whatsoever.
Final Thoughts
Sasquatch Sunset may just go down in history. Unfortunately for it, it’ll be for all the wrong reasons. The movie is, without a doubt, the grossest, weirdest, dumbest movie I’ve seen in a very long time, with hardly any positive qualities about it whatsoever. It’s not worth your time or energy to see. I am honestly shocked it even made it into production in the first place. Seriously, don’t waste your time.
