Behemoth

Alright, Peter Sefchik, you have my full attention.  Armed to the teeth with paranoia, solid creature feature characters, bugs, and a healthy dose of otherly world atmosphere, Sefchik’s directorial debut, Behemoth, is a stunning, VFX-flexing thriller that, most certainly, will transport you off the third rock from the sun during the duration of its running time.

"a savage journey into the heart of darkness when the world turns its violent intentions toward you"


 

This is a paranoid thriller where even the floor beneath you shouldn’t be trusted.  Walls shape-shift their way into spindly creatures and everything is definitely NOT what it seems.  Welcome to the mind-bending world-play of the challenging and atmospheric Behemoth, a small budget independent release which feels like a summer blockbuster thanks to the smart direction, the solid VFX work, and the cast which fires the dialogue along its twisting and sinewy path..  

Starring Josh Eisenberg, Paul Statman, Jennifer Churchich, Richard Wagner, and Whitney Nielsen, Behemoth is the story of a young father who, after spending a decade working for a deadly chemical corporation, finds himself in the role of whistleblower after his daughter comes down with a mysterious illness that can be linked to the company and their intended negligence toward the environment and the people who live in it.  

Almost suddenly, Joshua Riverton’s life is thrown into chaos as a subway ride home becomes a relative wonderland of dark beings and demented souls.  He fears for his life.  Night jogs become thrill rides as rams jump out at him and chase him down the road.  Dark forces are at work and they are tearing him apart the further he chases conspiracy theories down the proverbial rabbit hole.Behemoth

When given the chance to confront his old boss, Dr. Woeland, he allows a standoff to escalate into violence, and Josh is shot in the process. Now Josh is on the run, eating painkillers, and holding Woeland hostage. Josh demands answers about his daughter's illness, but with each passing moment around Woeland, Josh's grasp on reality begins to unravel.

Is it the painkillers, or is Woeland more than he seems? Are the dark forces all in Josh's head, or has he stumbled into a terrifying league of evil?

Behemoth is a savage journey into the heart of darkness when the world turns its violent intentions toward you.  Nothing is stable and none is what it seems.  It is here where Behemoth soars with visuals that are truly cinematic, highly imaginative, and worth every ounce of your attention.  In fact, once this spiraling thriller begins, I dare viewers to look away from the monstrous macabre being unleashed.

From Level 33 Entertainment, Behemoth opens on digital platforms on Friday, August 27th.

4/5 stars

 

Film Details

Behemoth

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime:
88 mins
Director
: Peter Szewczyk
Writer:
Derrick LigasPeter Szewczyk
Cast:
Josh Eisenberg; Paul Statman; Jennifer Churchich
Genre
: Horror
Tagline:
Everything Has its Price.
Memorable Movie Quote:
Theatrical Distributor:
Level 33 Entertainment
Official Site: https://www.behemothfilm.com/
Release Date:
August 27, 2021
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:

Synopsis: Joshua Riverton spent ten years working for a global chemical behemoth, notorious for their environmental negligence. When his daughter develops a mysterious illness, he steps forward as a whistle-blower, throwing his life into chaos. He's convinced that his company's negligence has made his daughter sick, and there are dark forces hiding the truth.When given the chance to confront his old boss, Dr. Woeland, he allows a standoff to escalate into violence, and Josh is shot in the process. Now Josh is on the run, eating painkillers, and holding Woeland hostage. Josh demands answers about his daughter's illness, but with each passing moment around Woeland, Josh's grasp on reality begins to unravel.Is it the painkillers, or is Woeland more than he seems? Are the dark forces all in Josh's head, or has he stumbled into a terrifying league of evil?

Art

Behemoth