FROGMAN (2023)
Found footage horror tells of a creature of folklore, a mysterious bipedal frog-like critter that prowls the swamps of Loveland, Ohio called the Frogman. In 1999 young Dallas Kyle caught footage of it while on vacation. Years later as an adult, Dallas (Nathan Tymoshuk), a failed filmmaker, is still haunted and ridiculed over it. He decides to track the creature down once and for all and capture decisive footage. He takes along his friends Amy (Chelsey Grant) and Scotty (Benny Barrett) and returns to Loveland to make a documentary. Obviously, he doesn’t like what he finds.
Is this the legendary Frogman?
Give credit where credit is due to director Anthony Cousins for making such a silly flick as effective as it is. Working from his script with John Karsko, and based on actual Ohio folklore, he does conjure some effective sequences despite the preposterousness of his story. A four-foot frog creature that has telekinetic powers, carries a magic wand and likes to impregnate human women isn’t something that is easy to make scary and while it really never is, the beastie has some spooky moments. The last act is atmospheric and is where any of the spookiness comes, though the flick does go a bit off the rails before it ends. There is still some entertainment to be had with it’s over the top finale and that Cousins does take the last moments into an unexpected direction. The cast is adequate, with pretty Chelsey Grant standing out as the bubbly actress-wannabe Amy, and the make-up SPFX won’t win any awards but do their job. Didn’t live up to some of the internet good word but would be lying to say it wasn’t without its entertainment value. Now available for streaming.
-MonsterZero NJ
Photo: Shock Treatment Productions
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