Geeks logo

Movie Review: '15 Things You Didn't Know About Bigfoot (Number 1 Will Blow Your Mind)'

Vice and Buzzfeed get a satirical send up in 15 Things You Didn't Know About Bigfoot.

By Sean PatrickPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
Like

15 Things You Didn’t Know about Bigfoot is a very modern piece of satire. Directed by Zach Lamplugh (Editor, known for Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell), 15 Things tells the story of a millennial journalist working for a website that is part Buzzfeed and part Vice. Poor Brian Emond (played by actor Brian Emond) just wants to do real journalism. Unfortunately, his current niche for the web based media company Compound is more along the lines of clickbait.

Brian’s stories range from craft beer scenes to SoundCloud rappers of questionable talent and ego. Just as he thinks he might get his big break, a chance to deal real journalism on the Compound cable TV outlet, Brian receives yet another terrible assignment. This time, instead of craft beer or rap stars too big for their own good, Brian is headed to the woods of rural Georgia where awaits him, a Bigfoot festival.

With his trusty cameraman in tow, Brian embarks on this task with all of the enthusiasm of a man going to the gas chamber. His mood is not helped when he’s given the news that he will be camping during this trip and going on an actual Bigfoot hunt. Jeffrey (Jeffrey Stephenson) is a self-proclaimed cryptid rock star. On his YouTube channel, Jeffrey has become beloved for his enthusiasm and what he claims are real pieces of evidence of the existence of Bigfoot.

To say that Brian is skeptical would be an understatement. That said, on the first night in the woods, when their campsite is ravaged and their tent is menaced by an unseen force, Brian begins to think the story might have some merit to it. Where the story goes from there, I will leave you to discover by seeing 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Bigfoot. This is a terrifically funny satire filled with a dry wit that I won’t begin to try and emulate here.

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Bigfoot began life on the festival circuit under the title The Vice Guide to Bigfoot. Why that title changed is unknown, but director Zach Lamplugh takes aim at the alternative media outlet from the perspective of someone whose spent some time with the Vice style, presentation, and reputation. Brian’s employer is an eccentric millionaire, the Compound font that appears when Brian is doing his reporting is a direct lift of the Vice TV font, and one of the early supporting players in 15 Things is undoubtedly modeled after a popular Vice personality.

The humor of 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Bigfoot is at times very dry. Much of that comes from star Brian Emond who’s over-it manner and regular guy assaulted by idiocy vibe is the center of the movie. Emond is terrific at being frustrated and desperately trying to contain his unending disgust with his lot in life. He also has just the right amount of pomposity that you don’t necessarily feel sorry for him, but you do identify with his frustration.

Jeffrey Stevenson is the opposite of dry and contained. The lunatic energy Stephenson brings to his Bigfoot YouTuber persona is a true asset to the movie. Stephenson is the subject of one of my favorite pieces of IMDB trivia ever. According to IMDB “Jeff Stephenson spent several days in the wilderness with real bigfoot researchers in preparation for this role. No one asked him to do this.” That sums up the wonderful energy Stephenson brings to his buffoonish character whose childlike qualities make him both silly and charming.

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Bigfoot was made on a micro-budget by a group of friends with a really strong satirical target. The vibe of good friends riffing on a wild premise comes through the screen because the director and his stars are all friends who’ve worked together for a while now. Their chemistry and the clever premise, that self-serious gravitas brought to bear on topics not worthy of such seriousness, makes for a terrific piece of satirical, low budget comedy.

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Bigfoot will be in some theaters and available for streaming rental everywhere on May 7th, 2021.

movie
Like

About the Creator

Sean Patrick

Hello, my name is Sean Patrick He/Him, and I am a film critic and podcast host for the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast I am a voting member of the Critics Choice Association, the group behind the annual Critics Choice Awards.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.