Bambi: The Reckoning Review: a much more violent version than expected

Bambi: The Reckoning reimagines the beloved animated deer as a mutated, grief-stricken monster seeking vengeance, transforming the classic tale into a horror film. Directed by Dan Allen and with a screenplay by Rhys Warrington the movie is part of the Poohniverse

The story centers on a family, including Xana (Roxanne McKee) and her son Benji (Tom Mulheron), who find themselves in a wooded area where the monstrous Bambi resides. After a car wreck, they become targets of the enraged deer, who is seeking revenge for the death of his mother and other woodland creatures at the hands of humans . The narrative involves Bambi attacking people randomly with "unimaginable ferocity," leading to a series of gruesome encounters . The movie also introduces other characters from the original tale, such as Thumper, who also appears corrupted . A family matriarch, Mary (Nicola Wright), is depicted as having an unconscious connection to Bambi, and a group of hunters also features in the plot .

Gore style

The concept of Bambi: The Reckoning is the transformation of an innocent character into a bloodthirsty maniac, driven by trauma and a desire for revenge . The film embraces ecological horror, portraying the forest fighting back against human cruelty . While some thematic elements, such as motherhood and abandonment, are present, they are often overshadowed by the sheer carnage . The movie is noted for its focus on "gnarly kills," "gory and bloody" sequences, and "completely over-the-top deaths," making it an entertaining watch for fans of B-horror .

Performance and visuals

Roxanne McKee's performance as Xana is highlighted as a strong point, conveying empathy and concern, especially when her son goes missing . Other cast members, including Tom Mulheron and Nicola Wright, contribute to the emotional depth. However, the acting for supporting characters is forgettable .

Visually, the film receives mixed reviews. While the creature design for Bambi, featuring massive gnarly teeth and twisted antlers, is praised for being imposing and monster-like, some critics note that the overall visuals are outrageously bad, with certain scenes appearing grainy or difficult to see . The film's score is also cited as underwhelming, failing to add sufficient suspense .

Pacing and plot issues

The pacing of Bambi: The Reckoning is described as uneven, with action sequences frequently interrupted by exposition dumps, which can hinder the audience's engagement . Some side plots, like the inclusion of hunters, are seen as unnecessary and slowing down the story . Despite a tight setup for monster movie carnage, the film struggles to fully capitalize on its potential, sometimes losing focus on its central survival horror aspect.

Bambi: The Reckoning is considered a shockingly thrilling ride that delivers on its promise of gore and a high body count . It is seen as a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, embracing its B-horror nature . While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece and has visual and pacing flaws, it offers unexpectedly fun and refreshingly simple monster movie entertainment.

Ecological perspective

The film portrays Bambi as a manifestation of the forest's fury, driven by grief and anger over the loss of his mother and the destruction caused by humans. This transformation into a feral force of nature symbolizes the forest fighting back against human exploitation and cruelty.

The narrative emphasizes the consequences of humanity's actions, such as hunting and environmental destruction, which provoke the forest's violent response. This aligns with the ecological horror genre, where nature becomes an active, vengeful force.

Bambi's redesign as a monstrous, antlered beast with "massive gnarly teeth" and his methodical, primal hunting of humans highlight his role as a predator embodying nature's wrath.

His actions are not random but calculated, using the forest's shadows and natural traps to turn the tables on hunters. This reinforces the idea of the forest as an unforgiving and sentient entity.

Bambi: The Reckoning uses its reimagined protagonist, thematic focus on revenge and environmental destruction, and the forest's transformation into a hostile force to deliver a compelling ecological horror narrative. It serves as both a cautionary tale and a chilling reminder of nature's power to retaliate against human interference.