Review: ‘Backcountry’ uses nature’s monster to provide its scares (Includes first-hand account)
Mother Nature and wild animals can be as unpredictable as they are deadly. Confronting either without experience or the right equipment is more than ill-advised — it’s dangerous. The Boy Scouts’ motto is “always be prepared” for good reason; because anything less can be a death sentence. A couple discovers just how treacherous the wild can be in Backcountry.
Alex (Jeff Roop) and Jenn (Missy Peregrym) are going on their first camping trip together. He’s taking her on a weekend trek to a special spot he used to visit as a child. Convinced he knows exactly how to get there, they set out sans map on a romantic getaway with nature. On their first night, a hastily invited dinner guest (Eric Balfour) turns out to be a hostile visitor. As their journey continues, they worry he could be following them. But that’s mostly because the alternative is worse — they’re being stalked by a black bear. When it turns out Alex isn’t the outdoorsman he claimed and they’re lost, their lack of preparedness makes them easy prey.
The tagline for this movie is that it will do for bears what Jaws did for sharks. However, the promotional materials also point out there have only been 16 fatal black bear attacks since 2000. Writer/director Adam MacDonald was first inspired to create an Open Water-type movie on land. Then during his research he read a news article about a couple who was attacked by a bear, which resulted in one of their deaths. This was the inspiration that gives the film its “based on a true story” marker. In spite of fictionalizing the account, he wanted to make a film that felt as real as possible — a feat he accomplishes relatively well while building tension leading up to a final confrontation.
In some ways even though the audience feels sorry for the couple, it’s difficult not to also blame them (him) for their predicament. Jenn trusts Alex would not endanger their (her) lives, so she doesn’t begin to sharply question his choices until it’s too late. Other than the concerning encounter with the stranger, their trip is fairly carefree until the moment they realize they are lost. Then the mood of the film takes an abrupt turn as Jenn lets a wave of rage and fear crush Alex. As their relationship sits wounded, their pursuer seizes the opportunity to attack.
Jenn proves to be a strong and formidable opponent determined to survive no matter the cost. This is a common trait found in women in horror movies. Peregrym has a history of playing strong female characters and is definitely up to the task in this film.
Director: Adam MacDonald
Starring: Missy Peregrym, Jeff Roop and Eric Balfour
