BLACK WOOD (2022) Reviews of Wendigo horror Western

What do you think of this movie? Click on a star to rate it
  

Blackwood-movie-film-horror-Western-2022-Glenn-Morshower-poster

Black Wood is a 2022 horror Western in which a criminal gang is set up by a female indigenous American to be attacked by an evil entity. Formerly known as Blackwood

Written, directed and co-produced by Chris Canfield. Also produced by Ryan M. Hall and Richard Songtad. Executive produced by Eric Corneliuson.

Written and directed by Chris Canfield (production designer on The Last Son; Hoax; Wunderland and Zombies), making his feature directorial debut, the R.E.C. Entertainment production stars Bates Wilder (Shrine; Blood and Money; Black Mass), Tanajsia Slaughter, Stelio Savante (Rapid Eye Movement; The Cleaning Lady; Death House), David ‘Shark’ Fralick (Sorority of the Damned; Hayride 2; Triloquist) and Glenn Morshower (Scream Test; The CraziesDead & Buried).

Plot:
After her family is murdered, Dowanhowee, a Native American Sioux woman, travels alone into the ever-expanding West. She stumbles upon a decrepit town and crosses paths with a notorious outlaw group known as the Dutch Wilder Gang. She discovers one of the men riding a horse belonging to a member of her slain family. Dowanhowee takes revenge on the horse thief and evades them by running into the uncharted Black Wood Forest.

Blackwood-movie-film-horror-Western-2022

Once inside this mysterious land, the Dutch Wilder Gang capture Dowanhowee and after a cruel interrogation, the men find value in her and force her to help them with their mission: to find a hidden vein of gold. Not long into their journey, they soon discover they must work together and fight for their lives as they have unknowingly awakened an ancient ravenous creature known as The Wendigo.

Coerced into accompanying the gang through the treacherous terrain, she leads them deeper into the darkness where they’re attacked by a malevolent, ancient evil entity…

Reviews:
“What’s Good About Blackwood: I’ll start with the positives first. It deserves points for atmosphere and music. Both add creative elements that lend the movie some style. What’s Bad About Blackwood: Exactly what you need to have for a good movie is missing in this one, i.e. the storyline, dialogue, and acting.” Haunt Jaunts

“A hidden danger is much more terrifying than a present one. And even if I consider it to not be the creative direction that the makers wanted to take, the poor way in which the evil character has been designed takes away all the horror. You will be more involved, intrigued, and scared before the monster appears in a form. That proves to be the biggest issue with Black Wood.” High on Films

“The beginning and the ending contain a fair amount of entertaining action sequences that leave the viewer satisfied in the end, but getting the brakes pumped at the start of a lengthy filler of a second act will have many scrolling on their phones. I have to say the film delivered on its story in the end, but the film could have engaged its audience more in chilling ways.” Horror Obsessive

“Though the film is never simplistic, there is a message here about seeing beyond differences and understanding each other’s humanity. For gore and horror hounds, this rendition of the Wendigo should entertain. This is a nasty yet nuanced take on the famed creature and a dark journey into the Old West.” Horrorigins

“While the story of The Wendigo originated from the folklore of Plains and Great Lakes Natives, Black Wood does it no justice with its sloppy execution. Every horror scene materializes in broad daylight, and you never feel scared once. Had these scenes developed at night, they might have had the desired effect they intended.” Irish Film Critic

Blackwood just really does not leave much of an impression one way or the other. It isn’t creepy enough for Weird West fans and its revisionist western elements are too predictable. Not recommended…” J.B. Spins

“After watching Black Wood, I still have yet to see a good Wendigo-centric movie. Though the lead performance from Wilder and competent facets of the production is good, it’s too long and rarely scary.” Voices from the Balcony

YouTube reviews:

Trailer:

Cast and characters:
Bates Wilder … Dutch Wilder
Tanajsia Slaughter … Dowanhowee
Stelio Savante … Henri Defago
David ‘Shark’ Fralick … Wendigo
Glenn Morshower … Wallace Price
Andrew Stecker … Oryen Roberts
George Thomas Mansel … Lester Smith
Wade Everett … Slick the Bartender
Kara Rainer … Sally Pickerton
Richard Wetzel … Jeremiah
Casey Birdinground … Two Feathers
Nicholas E. Schultz … Edward
Jerry Allan … Cowboy in Bar
Brian ‘El Chivo’ Nelson … Sheriff Clarke
Mark Terzani … Earl

Filming locations:
South Dakota

Related:

More Wendigo movies

More Western movies

More Native American movies

MOVIES and MANIA provides previews, our own film reviews and ratings, plus links to other online reviews from a wide variety of trusted sources in one handy web location. This is a genuinely independent website and I rely solely on the minor income generated by internet ads to pay for web costs and cover yet more movies. Please support us by not blocking ads. Thank you. Oh and as an Amazon Associate, I earn a tiny amount from any qualifying purchases.