Every now and again, a horror film crosses my desk that I know nothing about. Very rarely am I blown away, but some are surprising. The Behemoth (2025) is one of the surprising ones. Filmmaker Kai Edmund Bogatzki makes an evil-cult film his own way, delivering some interesting ideas, though it still narrowly misses the mark.
What begins as a peaceful getaway to a snow-covered mountain village quickly turns into a nightmare when Rebecca (Sarah Dawes) and Ryan (Ryan Wichert) find themselves entangled with a secretive religious cult. While staying in a charming Airbnb with host Christine (Beatrice Fletcher), they notice people disappearing, and the once-idyllic village takes on an increasingly sinister atmosphere.
It quickly becomes clear that something far more disturbing is unfolding beneath the surface. Before long, the couple realizes they aren’t merely outsiders caught in the middle of something they don’t understand—they’re the targets. Trapped at the center of a terrifying ritual, they must fight to survive as an ancient evil threatens to unleash something far worse than death.
The Behemoth has quite a bit going for it, thanks to a production team that gives their all. It obviously had a tight budget, and Bogatzi manages to put it all on screen. The script by Bogatzki, Rapsodies, and Orso Vesperini is clever from a story standpoint, but much of the dialogue feels off or unnatural.
The performances by Sarah Dawes and Ryan Wichert are strong, but it’s Beatrice Fletcher who steals the show. The practical effects are impressive. There are shades of classic horror throughout, with obvious inspiration from the early works of Sam Raimi and others.
RELATED: ReAnimator Academy Blu-ray Review: A VHS-Era Horror Oddity Gets a Second Life
The Behemoth is slightly above average and a solid pickup for Cleopatra Entertainment. It’s imaginative in many ways but falls short in others. The director’s and crew’s technical proficiency stands out, with solid performances all around. The final twist will satisfy audiences, but the dialogue could have used some polish before going into production.
Some of it felt stilted or not quite authentic, especially the relationship stuff. The Cleopatra DVD is mostly bare-bones, though you might find a trailer or slideshow in the menu. Despite its flaws, The Behemoth is indie horror done right.
Support independent genre journalism. Horror Geek Life is powered by passionate writers, editors, and fans. If you enjoyed this article, you can help us keep the lights on by buying us a coffee.
As an Amazon Associate, Horror Geek Life earns from qualifying purchases. Some links may be paid affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
