Antlers, Wendigo Stories and Childhood Trauma

Hi everybody. How are you? Hope you are doing fine. Some time ago, I watched a horror movie. I watched this because it was nominated for a horror film at the 2022 Oscars. I was only intrigued by that. However, this film attempts to connect mythological creatures called wendigos. In Indonesia too, some honorary films related to mythological creatures can be a little scary. This movie is called Antlers

Wendigo is an evil spirit that comes from American folklore. Wendigo is described as having a body like a dog, while a head like a deer. Can you imagine being so scary? In some illustrations, a wendigo stops at his feet. The stakes were quite high and had a face like an ape. In this film, the wendigo is like the king of the jungle with crowned horns. His face is very fierce, has long teeth and fangs. It created an extremely ferocious monster.

This film tells the story of a boy named Lucas who has a strange and mysterious appearance. He always brought dead animals to his house. The strangeness was revealed by his teacher at school, Julia Meadows. Julia was worried about her student. Julia Shares problems with her brother Paul. Paul is the sheriff of the county. What is going on? Lucas secretly keeps a wendigo at home. Supernatural horror film directed by Scott Cooper. This film is adapted from Antosca's short story.

In this film, the atmosphere is dark, gloomy and sad. This is felt from the beginning to the end of the film. As well as background music and cinematography depicted in dark and suspenseful colors. This cinematography creates an atmosphere where Lucas is physically abused by his father. Another trauma was experienced by Lucas' teacher, Julia. Julia also has a traumatic past. However, the history of this past trauma is presented only slightly.

The film shows that Lucas is in a toxic relationship with his family. I feel that if Lucas is in an uncomfortable situation, he can neither seek help nor deny it. We'll see if Lucas has no choice. So, he had to accept what happened. Lucas had to give his father a dead animal every day. He also had to find food for his sister. Actually, not everyone wants to be in that position, but there's not much that can be done. Lucas could not escape this condition.

Parental love for a child that has no limits is an interesting thing in this film. Midway through the film, Lucas' father is infected by a wendigo. It brought his father into very painful physical changes. Lucas' father had to eat raw meat. What did Frank (Lucas' father) do? Frank made a lock and locked himself in a room. Until frank turns into a wendigo. This proves that Frank really loves his children and doesn't want to hurt them.

In the opening of the film, there is an ojibwe narration that accompanies the movement of the camera, the camera traces a lake that flows between mountains covered in clouds. This is a very interesting cinematography. However, it shows that the cinematography of this film is above average.

In this film, there is a very dark atmosphere. Dim lighting. As if there is a figure behind the darkness. Another thing is that this film has very good makeup. It showed on Frank's face. From the moment Frank was sick to becoming a Wendigo. Her makeup is very good.

This film focuses more on drama that has a murky atmosphere. Habit in horror films, always shows fear. The director wanted to build a better and more story. However, the scenario presented does not have an update. In every horror film, always decorate the scene to attack a terrible figure. It also seems very vivid and intense.

Although this film connects mythological creatures from America, at the end of the story we have an agenda to eradicate monsters. It's a normal horror movie. Another thing, it presents a new mystery for the audience. But I think it's a failure. Because, I don't care about the fate of the next character who is cursed by wendigo.

Nurdiani Latifah

_{My name is Nurdiani Latifah. I currently live in Jakarta – Indonesia, after 25 years I live in Bandung. I am a media staff at an NGO in Indonesia. I have worked in this institution for almost 2 years on issues of women and peace. I had been a journalist in Bandung for 3 years.}

_{If you like his content, don't forget to upvote and leave a comment to show some love. You can also reblog if you want to. Also, don't forget to follow him to be updated with his latest posts.}