B.C. Butcher

B.C. Butcher is a 2016 film directed by 17-year-old Kansas Bowling and produced by Troma Entertainment, known for their distinctive brand of off-kilter cult cinema. This quirky low-budget flick features performances by Kadeem Hardison, Kato Kaelin, and Leilani Fideler, and takes viewers on a bizarre journey into a prehistoric world where things aren't as they might initially seem.

The movie introduces us to a tribe of cavewomen led by their charismatic leader, Neandra (Leilani Fideler). This primitive matriarchal civilization is embroiled in bitter interpersonal clashes, deeply held grudges, and turmoil. Amidst these tensions and power plays, an alleged act of betrayal leads the tribe to execute one of its own members to uphold their primitive sense of justice. Driven by their unforgiving nature, they leave the body of their victim in the wilderness to rot.

However, there is a surprising and grotesque twist of fate. As the body of the executed cavewoman lies alone in the wilderness, it catches the eye of a lonely and brooding prehistoric brute, the B.C. Butcher, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson (not the wrestler-turned-actor, but a performer with the same name). The B.C. Butcher character adds an intense layer of horror and suspense to the storyline, with a backstory steeped in terrible tragedy and pretty shocking taste in food.

Vowing revenge against the tribe that heartlessly abandoned his newfound object of affection, the ludicrously grunting and rough-edged B.C. Butcher wages a savage war against Neandra and her cavewomen. The tribe, despite their brutal ways, find themselves unprepared for such a ghastly adversary.

Further complicating matters, a strange wanderer played by Kadeem Hardison miraculously crashes into this chaotic prehistoric world. Named Rex, this charming and enigmatic character disrupts the intense tension between the B.C. Butcher and the tribe. Brought into prominence by Hardison's charismatic screen presence, Rex's character injects a certain contemporary flair into the archaic setting, creating an engaging contrast for viewers.

The movie also features Kato Kaelin in the role of a goofy caveman desperate for acceptance from Neandra's tribe, providing additional comic relief against the gruesome backdrop of the film's central conflict. His eccentric character strives to fit in within this primitive cavewoman society, adding another odd character to the mix of the movie's strange inhabitants.

B.C. Butcher's plot is an enormously original blend of gore, slapstick humor, and prehistoric fantasy. The film draws influence from bloody horror tropes, girl gang aesthetics, and vintage camp cinema, resulting in an instant cult classic. It cleverly uses the absurdity of its premise to build a humorous yet suspenseful narrative that keeps audiences engaged throughout. In a subversion of traditional horror movies, all the gore and horror elements are presented jarringly against a backdrop of bright colors, lively music, and exaggerated scenarios.

Beyond the narrative, Bowling brings to life a lively set design and imaginative costuming, making the entire film an intriguing visual spectacle. The cavewomen, clad in vibrant costumes which contrast with their grim and brutal surroundings, along with the stark settings, create a kind of comic book aesthetic that’s equal parts fascinating and offbeat.

At the core of B.C. Butcher lies a promising debut director navigating her creativity using a panoply of quirky characters, outrageous lines, and colorful visuals. The absurdity of the plot and outlandishness of the characters are constantly thrust forward, serving as a testament to Bowling's unapologetic and eccentric storytelling. It’s a journey into a bizarre world of creative madness that provides unabashed entertainment.

B.C. Butcher, with its oddball characters, intriguing turn of events and raucous humor, becomes more than just a movie; it's a cinematic experience that doesn't take itself too seriously and encourages the audience to do the same. The film is notable for its unique take on horror and comedy genres, providing viewers a different kind of entertainment, and marking Kansas Bowling's debut as a refreshing young talent in the world of independent filmmaking. With its blend of gruesome horror, offbeat humor, and unexpected romance, viewers are sure to be captivated by this prehistoric phantasmagoria.