Consumed Movie Review: Jay (Mark Famiglietti) and Beth (Courtney Halverson) are a couple celebrating Beth’s first year of being cancer-free by revisiting their love for hiking and camping, much like they did during their honeymoon phase. Although Beth is not as strong as she once was due to the toll of her treatments, she insists on pushing forward, determined to make new cherished memories despite the challenging terrain. During the day, Beth tries to stay positive despite minor disagreements, but at night, while Jay sleeps, she is haunted by nightmares of giant claws tearing open the scar where her cancer was removed. Their situation takes a turn for the worse when they leave their tent in the dead of night, only to return and find it shredded, with a strange, slimy substance covering their belongings. The couple races to find safety, but their journey is cut short when Jay steps into a bear trap, leading them to encounter Quinn, a mysterious and reclusive trapper played by Devon Sawa.
The theme of consumption is central to Consumed, as each character is emotionally crippled by something. Beth is haunted by the fear of her cancer returning. Jay is obsessed with restoring their relationship to its former bliss. Quinn is consumed by a desire for vengeance against the supernatural creature that killed his daughter, Addison. Calbert’s writing doesn’t shy away from bluntness, which becomes even more apparent when Quinn tells Beth that their pursuer seems to target those who are weak or near death. While not every film needs to be as complex as The Usual Suspects, Altieri’s failure to maintain suspense weakens the straightforward narrative. Even the reveal of the Wendigo as the antagonist falls flat.
The performances help to hold the film together, particularly once Quinn enters the story. Famiglietti and Halverson effectively portray a couple struggling under pressure, with Jay’s attempts to lift Beth’s spirits sometimes met with frustration, yet they remain engaging leads. Sawa, draped in furs like a true survivalist hermit, adds a layer of mystery to Quinn’s intentions. Altieri encourages his actors to engage in rapid dialogue exchanges, especially as Quinn shows more interest in helping Beth than in Jay’s injury. These moments, where Quinn shares details about the creature hunting them, draw the audience back in. Sawa’s portrayal of Quinn as a rugged, Kraven the Hunter-like figure suits the actor well, and Beth’s wariness around her armed, potentially dangerous savior is palpable. Unfortunately, once Quinn’s motivations are fully revealed, the film returns to a predictable path, with the rest of the story following a well-trodden route.
Consumed falls short as a Wendigo horror film
Courtney Halverson and Devon Sawa are dirty and in the woods watching a monster come their way in ConsumedImage via Phil Flores
In terms of horror elements, Altieri’s take on Wendigo lore is slow to develop. The skinwalker aspects are gruesomely displayed when Beth stumbles upon the Wendigo’s lair, finding human flesh masks hanging like trophies, reminiscent of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The Wendigo itself is mostly depicted as a swirling, smoky cloud with glowing streaks, resembling a cross between a Gastly Pokémon and digital distortions flitting across the screen. The practical effects are reserved for the final confrontation, but even these are obscured and underwhelming, reminiscent of the awkward, poorly executed Rawhead Rex creature, only with less visibility. The film lacks the intricate prosthetics and creature designs that might have redeemed its earlier digital missteps, though the moment when the Wendigo’s long, bony fingers dig into Beth’s surgery scar is a particularly gruesome and effective piece of special effects work.
Consumed is a lackluster Wendigo story that comes close to achieving its potential but never quite makes the leap. Altieri and Calbert explore the harshness of life through the lens of horror, ending on a somewhat hopeful note as Beth fights against an entity that could end her suffering with ease. However, the film remains a typical mix of human drama and supernatural terror. Consumed fails to fully capitalize on its Wendigo moments, whether due to budget constraints or overly straightforward scripting that drags on for nearly 90 minutes. A film like Bryan Bertino’s The Monster shows how to stretch familiar themes into a chilling, feature-length experience. Altieri gives it his best shot, but without standout effects or memorable horror moments, his attempt at blending genre with existential dread ultimately falls flat.
