The Canyonlands

The Canyonlands is a gripping and eerie 2021 indie horror film, directed and written by Brendan Devane and featuring performances by Steph Barkley, Marqus Bobesich, and Wayne Charles Baker. Using the desolate beauty of the American southwest as a backdrop, the movie mixes elements of survival thriller and horror genres, trenchantly capitalizing on its chosen remote setting and spinning a yarn that is both suspenseful and unnerving.

Steph Barkley ably leads the ensemble cast, playing the role of Lauren, a river guide. Lauren's daily life gets a twist when she's tasked with leading five contestants of a survival reality TV show down the Colorado River through a region known as The Confluence, a collection of canyons that are both breath-takingly beautiful and treacherously dangerous. The group includes characters of contrasting personalities - a rich entrepreneur, a social media influencer, a free-spirited wanderer, an MMA fighter, and a photographer, each character brought to life by a dedicated cast of actors, including Marqus Bobesich and Wayne Charles Baker. Their diversity functions as a source of tension and interpersonal conflict, which intensifies as the journey progresses.

The film initially embarks on a sedate pace, allowing audiences to enjoy the nod to the traditional survival thriller format while subtly infusing eerie elements into the narrative. But the tranquillity of the canyons is only a facade. As the sun moves westwards, the group finds themselves stranded and isolated far from civilization, evolving the story from a delightful escapade into a desperate battle for survival.

Masterfully maneuvering between traditional thriller components and unexpected horror elements, Devane uses the environment as a compelling character in itself. The beautiful yet haunting canyon, ensconced in darkness, is the ideal setting for unearthing a horrific secret that has lain dormant for centuries. Mysterious occurrences soon blend into a chilling history that traces its roots back to the region's original inhabitants, effectively augmenting the ominous atmosphere.

As events unfold, it becomes apparent that the canyons are not what they seem. The chilling entity that emerges is intrinsically linked to the land itself, the eeriness of which permeates the entire narrative. The film's atmospheric horror is amplified through its exceptional sound design and haunting score, which work in tandem with the intrinsically hostile and inaccessible environment to create a feeling of unease and doom.

The cinematography by Matteo Bertoli adds depth to the movie's narrative, capturing the thrilling grandeur and eerie silence of the desolate canyons and painting a vivid portrait that swings from awe-inspiring scenes of nature's grandeur to unsettling, fear-inducing shots that work to heighten the sense of dread. The color palette expertly transitions from the warm hues of the desert day to the cold tones of the threatening night, further enhancing the plot's escalating tension.

Steph Barkley shines as Lauren, the tour guide with her strong, pragmatic, and resourceful character. Her performance guides the audience through the escalating terror while bringing a sense of grounded reality to the supernatural elements that pervade the story. Meanwhile, Marqus Bobesich and Wayne Charles Baker excel in their performances, delivering characterization that brings depth and diverse dynamics to the group dynamic.

Without relying on jump scares or excessive gore, The Canyonlands exploits the realm of psychological horror to build a compelling narrative. It delivers tensely paced storytelling, bolstered by strong performances and a lingering sense of dread, capturing the inherent fear of the unknown in its environmental horror setting.

In conclusion, The Canyonlands is a breath of fresh air in the world of indie horror cinema, combining believable character interactions, a desolate yet awe-inspiring backdrop, and an original, nail-biting narrative flow. For fans of horror infused with survival elements, this film will be a hauntingly thrilling ride. The unbeaten path it takes through the horror genre makes it an experience worth venturing into.