Sasquatch Sunset is that rare treat that engulfs you in a world that you were slightly interested in but did not know if you wanted to experience it. Yes, the movie is about sasquatches. Yes, there is no dialogue. Yes, it is a strange ride but it is one of the most fascinating movies I have seen this year. Sasquatch Sunset feels like an unearthed Planet Earth documentary without Sir David Attenborough narrating it.
The movie starts with a wide shot of the forest as the sun rises and then we are hit with the image of two sasquatches having sex. Yes, the movie shows you the mating ritual of the sasquatch. While the couple is enjoying themselves the other two sasquatches are just watching in the background. The sounds that they are making are echoed in the forest and we see shots of other animals that are just standing still watching this act take place.
As we are shown in the first few minutes of the movie the four sasquatches are a small clan and migrate together in the forest. They have a daily ritual where they grab two big branches, bang them against a tree, and wait for a response. They are trying to see if others like them are out there. The movie never really tells us much about this small clan except for what we see. Among the clan, there is an older one, played by Nathan Zellner. Within the group, there is only one female played by Riley Keough. The last two members are a “smartish” one and a shorter one played respectively by Jesse Eisenberg and Christopher Zajac-Denek. The movie is broken down into seasons and we follow the progression of them during one year.
To talk about Sasquatch Sunset is kind of interesting because it feels very much like a nature documentary but certain moments are best not talked about. There are a few scenes of them walking and other scenes of them eating. We see what happens when they eat plants that they should not eat and the aftermath of that. I nicknamed Jesse Eisenberg’s sasquatch the smart one because we see them trying to count the stars during one scene. During another moment he tries counting the rings in a tree. Little moments like this show us how these creatures have human characteristics but the similarities end there.
We never really know what time this movie takes place but there are hints here and there in the movie. While the score mainly fills the silence in the movie there is one moment where Erasure’s “Love to Hate You” comes on and it evokes emotions that I did not think would happen while watching the movie. Sasquatch Sunset breaks a few boundaries by giving us a look inside the lives of Sasquatch and maybe answering a few questions that people may have about them. While it might not be for everyone it is something to experience and think about afterwards. I will say that I did not expect to hit certain feelings while watching this movie but the Zellner’s have created something special here.
Final Thoughts: Part movie – part nature documentary, Sasquatch Sunset is one strange ride into the world of Sasquatches and how they survive the seasons. The movie brilliantly shows their struggles and how they overcome what is in front of them. Many powerful moments hit you in the feels and make you ask, “Why is this happening to them?”. While this movie will not be for everyone, the lessons learned from watching the Sasquatch may transfer to human life.
Kid-Friendly: The movie starts with two of the sasquatches having sex and this is not the only time sexual intercourse is introduced in this movie. Sasquatch genitalia is openly shown throughout the movie. The movie does have a good message of family that the older kids can approve of. Younger kids might get bored due to the lack of dialogue but might still find it interesting if they stick to it.
Violence: The amount of violence in the movie is minimal. There are some scrimmages between the sasquatch and the aftermath of a fight with a cougar.
In the misty forests of North America, a family of Sasquatches—possibly the last of their enigmatic kind— embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey over the course of one year. These shaggy and noble giants fight for survival as they find themselves on a collision course with the ever-changing world around them. Starring Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg, acclaimed directors David and Nathan Zellner (Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter) bring you the greatest Bigfoot story ever told.