Watch Strange Nature

Strange Nature is a unique horror-thriller film that is sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Directed by Jim Ojala, the story follows the character of Kim Sweet (played by Lisa Sheridan), a former pop star who returns to her hometown in Minnesota to escape the fast-paced Los Angeles lifestyle. While visiting her mother, she discovers that the local wildlife has been mutating and that something sinister is happening in the area. The film's cast includes talented actors such as Stephen Tobolowsky, Carlos Alazraqui, and Tiffany Shepis, who all deliver great performances throughout.

One of the most impressive things about Strange Nature is the way it weaves together multiple plotlines into a cohesive whole. The central story of the mutated wildlife is intriguing enough on its own, but it's the way the film explores the characters' relationships and the impact that these mutations have on the community that makes it truly exceptional. The film does an excellent job of putting its characters in situations where they have to make difficult choices, and it's refreshing to see a horror movie that takes the time to develop its characters instead of just relying on jump scares and gore.

Speaking of gore, Strange Nature is not for the faint of heart. While the film isn't overly violent, there are a few scenes that are quite gruesome and may be too much for some viewers. However, the gore is used sparingly and always serves a purpose – it's never simply gratuitous. The film's visual effects are also impressive, especially considering that it was made on a relatively small budget. The mutated animals look convincing, and the makeup and prosthetics used to create the film's various injuries and deformities are top-notch.

One of the strengths of Strange Nature is its use of real-life events as inspiration for the story. The film is based on the true story of how deformed frogs began appearing in Minnesota in the late 1990s, and how research eventually linked their mutations to pollution from agricultural chemicals. While the film takes some liberties with the scientific details, it's clear that the filmmakers did their research and wanted to highlight the dangers of using certain chemicals in agriculture. The film also touches on other environmental issues such as fracking, and it's nice to see a horror movie that has something to say about real-world problems.

Of course, all of these elements wouldn't work without a strong cast, and Strange Nature delivers in this regard as well. Lisa Sheridan is excellent as Kim, bringing a lot of depth and nuance to a character who could have easily been one-note. Stephen Tobolowsky (who is always a pleasure to watch) is also great as the town's mayor, and Carlos Alazraqui provides some comic relief as the local postman. Tiffany Shepis is also memorable as a scientist who is investigating the mutations, and it's nice to see a horror movie that features a strong female character in a position of authority.

Overall, Strange Nature is a surprising and thought-provoking horror movie that manages to be both entertaining and socially relevant. It's not a perfect film – there are a few pacing issues, and some of the dialogue is a bit clunky – but it's clear that the filmmakers had a vision and wanted to create something unique. It's refreshing to see a horror movie that takes risks and tries to do something different, and Strange Nature is definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre.

Strange Nature is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.