Involving yet another cabin in the woods, Deer Camp ‘86 wisely side steps any comparisons to Evil Dead as it focuses on a hunting trip for friends and co-workers gone sideways when the murder of a Native American bartender awakens something troubling . . . which then starts hunting the men!
While it is true that you might be rooting for the killer by the end of the movie, nothing about Deer Camp ‘86 is insulting to horror fans. It comes together quite nicely, in fact, proving that tiny budgets can have big successes!
It’s a reversal of sorts by co-writers Bo Hansen and Riley Taurus as there really isn’t any place for the final girl trope on this boys trip into the wood-surrounded country, especially when the only girl in the movie is the bartender who - quite unexpectedly - gets a knife straight into the ear in one of the many gore-ishly great sequences throughout director L. Van Dyke Siboutszen’s film. This film, while maybe 10-minutes too long, is full of solid practical effects and a minimal use of CGI and, thankfully, has just the right amount of humor and jovial ribbing to keep spirits high as the typical characters are assembled.
Starring Noah LaLonde, Jay J. Bidwell, Arthur Cartwright, Brian Michael Raetz, David Lautman, Josh Dominguez, Tina Manera, and Paul Wilson, Deer Camp ‘86 is a solid attempt at digging up some regional terror, thanks to the hulking presence of the killer we never get a good look at until we’re mentally prepared. The design is quite good, too.
But will the boys be able to survive the terror which stalks them? This hunting trip is already a bit fractured when a stop at a local bar ends up in a racially-charged barfight. Something is a bit off with the locals and, yes, they don’t take too kindly to outsiders . . . especially anyone of color.
But the bar fight - while disturbing - is the least of their problems. 
With the discovery of the death of the Native American woman in the morning, the local cops stumble upon the group of hunters and aren’t too impressed by who is discovered among them . . . a former felon.
With a great eye for detail and a camera which ratchets up the tension, the mystery of who killed the barmaid and just what is hunting the members of this hunting party constantly nags at the viewer. It’s clear there’s some sort of supernatural element involved, but the truth is a haunting one which the film cleverly doesn’t reveal until it’s time to put all the cards out on the table.
Something doesn’t want them anywhere near this indigenous part of the country. And it’s willing to kill each and every one of them, too.
Turns out, the boys were safer in Detroit. Deer Camp ‘86 is now on blu-ray thanks to Mill Creek.
Home Video Distributor: Mill Creek Entertainment
Available on Blu-ray - July 9, 2024
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
In the fall of 1986, six knuckleheads from Detroit embark on a deer hunting trip. Things take a dark turn when something horrific is awakened: an ancient Native American spirit, seeking vengeance for the deaths of several indigenous girls. The hunters became the hunted, caught in a chilling supernatural struggle.
Video
With an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the 1080p transfer is crackling with good details. Keep in mind that this is a retro release, so the set design is in order of all things 1986 and never steps into the digital world. We even get some nice VHS and camcorder effects sprinkled into the circumstances, but a found footage film this is not. Black levels are solid and never waver and the details in the hunting crew’s jackets are visible. There is a nice depth throughout the presentation.
Audio
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is enough to provide clean dialogue and a haunting atmosphere to boot. It won’t win any awards but it works well enough to create the mood required.
Supplements:
Commentary:
- None
Special Features:
- None
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 85 mins
Director: L. Van Dyke Siboutszen
Writer: Bo Hansen; Riley Taurus
Cast: Noah LaLonde; Jay J. Bidwell; Arthur Cartwright
Genre: Horror | Thriller
Tagline: They Should Have Stayed in Detroit... Where it was Safe.
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Panoramic Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date: October 12, 2022
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: July 9, 2024
Synopsis: In the fall of 1986, six knuckleheads from Detroit travel north to partake in the annual tradition of deer hunting. But something horrific has been awakened and the hunters become the hunted.
