The legend of the Frogman has leaped from folklore to the screen with the new found footage film, “Frogman,” now available on the Bloody Disgusting-powered SCREAMBOX streaming service. This movie delves into the mystery surrounding the mythical creature, blending horror and intrigue in a way that has captivated audiences.
Set in the summer of 1999, the story follows a 12-year-old named Dallas Kyle who captures footage of the elusive Frogman. Despite his efforts, no one believes the footage is real. Fast forward twenty years, and Dallas, now an amateur filmmaker, returns to Loveland with friends Amy and Scotty. Their mission? To obtain undeniable proof of the Frogman’s existence. What begins as a simple documentary project soon spirals into a Lovecraftian nightmare, revealing the dark secrets lurking beneath Loveland’s seemingly peaceful surface.
The film stars Nathan Tymoshuk, Chelsey Grant, Benny Barrett, and Justen Jones. Meagan Navarro, in her review from Popcorn Frights 2023, notes that director Anthony Cousins, in his feature directorial debut co-written with John Karsko, tackles the cryptic Frogman through the lens of found footage. The narrative follows three friends on a final filmmaking adventure before life pulls them in different directions. Their quest to capture the Frogman on camera leads them to uncover far more than they anticipated.
Navarro points out that “Frogman” adheres to the typical found footage formula, drawing inspiration from classics like “The Blair Witch Project” and “Willow Creek.” As the trio interviews Loveland locals about their town’s cryptid mascot, tensions rise among the friends, bringing underlying frictions to the surface. While Cousins’ debut may not offer groundbreaking narrative twists and employs some unconventional camera styles, it compensates with impressive creature effects. The deeper the friends venture into the Frogman’s territory, the weirder and more grotesque things become. The film’s special effects and twisted mythology make it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.
The resurgence of found footage horror, exemplified by films like “Frogman,” highlights the genre’s ability to deliver scares on a budget. The success of movies like “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity” in the early 2000s led to a flood of similar low-budget films. However, the genre’s reputation suffered due to the sheer volume of subpar imitations. Recently, a renewed interest in the genre has emerged, driven by a fascination with degraded physical media and liminal spaces. This has led to a more artistic and experimental approach, with filmmakers embracing the genre’s potential for creativity.
The Unnamed Footage Festival, held annually at the Balboa Theatre in San Francisco’s Richmond District, celebrates this creative spirit. Films like “Frogman” and David M. Dawson’s “Flesh Games” showcase the diverse ways found footage can be used to tell compelling stories. “Frogman” follows the video diary of a cryptid hunter obsessed with finding the legendary amphibian creature, while “Flesh Games” documents a YouTube channel’s extreme stunts, blending body horror with late-2000s internet culture.
“Frogman” has generated significant buzz online, thanks in part to its striking poster and intriguing concept. The film’s plot may stretch the limits of plausibility, but the enthusiasm of director Anthony Cousins and his team shines through. The character of Dallas Kyle, portrayed by Nathan Tymoshuk, stands out as a particularly intense and obsessive documentarian, adding a layer of psychological horror to the film.
The festival also featured Harmony Korine’s “Trash Humpers,” a film shot on worn VHS that elevates the antics of a gang of feral seniors to a statement on seizing the day. The film’s abrasive sound design and transgressive content make it a unique viewing experience, embodying the spirit of artistic freedom.
The Unnamed Footage Festival’s lineup included a variety of films that draw on millennial and internet-era pop culture. From cryptids and conspiracy theories to dead malls and vaporwave aesthetics, these films resonate with a generation that grew up with VHS tapes and early internet culture. This connection to cultural context makes the found footage and analog horror movement feel fresh and relevant.
As the festival concluded, one question lingered: Is the Frogman real? While “Frogman” may not provide a definitive answer, it offers a thrilling exploration of the legend, blending horror and folklore in a way that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, “Frogman” invites you to dive into the mystery and decide for yourself.
