Watch Indigenous

Indigenous is a horror movie that follows a group of friends on a vacation in Panama. Despite warnings from the locals, they venture into the jungles to find a secluded beach. Along the way, they stumble upon an ancient burial ground and disturb the resting place of a monstrous creature. The creature begins to hunt them down one by one, and the friends must fight for their lives against a force they cannot comprehend.

The movie opens with establishing shots of Panama City, introducing us to our group of friends. There's Scott, played by Zachary Soetenga, a thrill-seeking surfer who convinces his friends to take the trip. His girlfriend, Steph, played by Lindsey McKeon, who is hesitant to go to the remote location. Ryan, played by Jamie Anderson, who is the funny guy of the group. Zoe, played by Sofia Pernas, who is Scott's ex-girlfriend, and finally, Carlos, played by Pierson Fode, who is the local fixer for the group.

The first act of the movie plays out as a typical vacation movie, with the group enjoying the sights and sounds of Panama. They visit local clubs, party on yachts, and enjoy the beautiful beaches. The movie does a good job of establishing the relationship between the friends, and it's clear that they are a tight-knit group who have known each other for years.

As they start their journey into the jungle, the movie starts to shift its tone. The friends encounter some locals who warn them about the dangers of the jungle, and mention an ancient legend of a creature that roams the area. Despite their warning, the group continues on their journey.

One of the highlights of the movie is the setting. The filmmakers effectively use the natural beauty of Panama and the surrounding areas to create a sense of wonder and fear. The jungle scenes are shot beautifully, and the sound design is top-notch. The movie slowly builds up the tension, and when the creature finally makes its appearance, it's a truly scary moment.

The creature design is one of the standout aspects of the movie. The filmmakers went for a practical approach, using a costumed actor for the creature. The creature is a mix of different animals, with a body similar to a gorilla, but the head of a crocodile. The monster looks terrifying, and the special effects are excellent.

The second half of the movie is where the horror elements really kick in. The friends find themselves isolated and lost in the jungle, with no means of communication or escape. The creature stalks them at every turn, and the tension is palpable. The horror comes from not knowing what the creature is or what it wants. It's a force of nature, and the friends are powerless against it.

The performances from the cast are solid throughout. Zachary Soetenga does a good job of anchoring the movie as the lead, and Lindsey McKeon is excellent as his girlfriend who's torn between her love for him and her fear for her life. Sofia Pernas gives a nuanced performance as the ex-girlfriend who still has feelings for Scott. The rest of the cast does well in supporting roles, with each character bringing something unique to the table.

Overall, Indigenous is a well-made horror movie that effectively uses its setting and creature design to create a scary experience. The movie might not be groundbreaking, but it's a solid addition to the genre. If you're a fan of horror movies that use practical effects and good old-fashioned scares, then this is one movie not to miss.

Indigenous is a 2014 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.