Ep 7. Deer Woman - John Landis

In "Deer Woman," directed by John Landis, we are introduced to a unique type of killer. A beautiful Native American woman with the lower body of a deer, Deer Woman is a seductive creature who preys on men.

The story starts with a couple of cops who are investigating the mysterious deaths of several men, all of whom seemed to have been trampled by something with hooves. They soon discover that all the victims had attended the same bar, where they had met a gorgeous woman who had danced with them. The police officers start to investigate and find out that all the murdered men had been flirted with by the same woman, who had then lured them into dark alleyways to kill them.

It is at this point that the legend of Deer Woman comes into play, and our main character, Officer Dwight Faraday (played by Brian Benben), takes it upon himself to track down and stop the killer. Along the way, he is assisted by his fellow officer Jacob Reed (played by Anthony Griffith) and a Native American sheriff from Oklahoma named Mary Margolies (played by Cinthia Moura).

As they delve deeper into the mystery, the trio soon realizes that Deer Woman is not just a myth, and that she is indeed the cause of the deaths. They discover that Deer Woman is the vengeful spirit of a Native American woman who was raped and murdered by a group of white men many years ago. Her spirit now takes the form of a deer to avenge her death by seducing and killing men.

Officer Faraday and his team are in a race against time to stop the Deer Woman from striking again, and they soon realize that they have to perform a special tribal ritual to try and put her soul to rest. But will they be able to stop her before it's too late?

The episode is a unique take on the horror genre, taking inspiration from Native American legends and blending it with modern-day elements. The writing is superb, and the episode is well-paced, building up the tension from the get-go. The acting is excellent, with Brian Benben giving an outstanding performance as the determined police officer. The visual effects are also well done, with the Deer Woman's design being scary and alluring at the same time.

The episode also deals with some broader themes such as racism and cultural differences, which adds another layer of depth to the story. The episode takes a nuanced approach to these themes, reflecting on the historical trauma that Indigenous communities have gone through while still keeping the horror elements in the front.

Overall, "Deer Woman" is a highly recommended episode for horror fans who are looking for something different. The blend of horror and Native American traditions makes it a compelling watch, and the execution is top-notch. Despite not being as well-known as some other episodes from the series, "Deer Woman" is a standout in the first season of Masters of Horror.