Film Review: The Carnivores (2020)

Rate This Movie

SYNOPSIS

Alice is vegan, but she hungers for her partner Bret voraciously. Bret is completely consumed with caring for her dog Harvie, whole convalescence and rigorous medication schedule leaves Alice feeling neglected, physically and emotionally. She can’t sleep, and when she does she sleepwalks, waking up in random places unable to distinguish disturbing dreams from reality- and finding herself increasingly drawn to the meat section of the supermarket. When Harvie mysteriously goes missing, the two women must search for what they’ve lost in this compelling hybrid dark comedy, psychological thriller, and drama.

REVIEW:

Directed by: Caleb Michael Johnson

Written by:

Caleb Michael Johnson

Jeff Bay Smith

Tallie Medel

Starring

Lindsay Burdge

Tallie Medel

Frank Mosley

The Chattanooga Virtual Film Festival run from June 24-29, 2021. Grab a badge, watch some great films.

Now, back to The Carnivores.

Lindsay Burdge plays Bret and Tallie Medel plays Alice. Frank Mosley is the “Dog-Man”. The film opens with Alice staring lovingly at meat, red meat, she is contemplating what to do. She walks away.

The Carnivores is such a primal, realistic twisted film that makes sense in the chaotic world we live in. Bret is having an altercation with the neighbor over the dog. They are cooking for the dog, and now it’s relaxing, watching TV time.

Over the years, sadly people do horrible things to dogs, cats, and animals. It’s a sick world. And before you judge or say, oh, Janel, you are being such a pessimist. No, I’ve seen horrific stuff in person. My mom rescued and I also have rescued and volunteered. You see absolutely horrible things. Things that horror movies cannot even comprehend.

A dog owner with a jealous spouse is one of the worst and saddest things. I’ve realized watching films for the Chattanooga Virtual Film Festival, I feel like they gave us such great films. The Carnivores is beautifully done.

Alice winds up sleepwalking, having strange dreams. She is going through some shit. It’s bad enough there are people who are jealous of dogs, imagine if the person has a kid… Alice is at work, she seems distant. She doesn’t really talk to her co-workers.

Vincent James Prendergast plays Roland, he’s Alice’s co-worker. There is some humor and knowledge in this film. It’s a dog-eat-dog world… so to speak. (Please Lord, don’t let her eat the dog.) Alice gets good news at the vet, and yet she seems disappointed.

WOW! That was a shitty move. That was beyond low, come on, Alice. Well, she didn’t do it. It’s still shitty. Mental health is so important. If you need help, get help.

I’ve been checking out Discord to talk with everyone at the Chattanooga Film Festival, and it’s great. It’s so wonderful to be able to talk with everyone and get film suggestions. A constant question is what would possess her to do this?

Alice wakes up again and she is sleepwalking. Roland is back again with all his wisdom and advice. So, now poor Harvie is missing. This is horrible. Bret is so determined to find Harvie and Alice is sleepwalking again. She takes a grocery trip. Bret is on a mission.

More Roland wisdom… UGH! Alice may not have been sleepwalking? Also, Bret is dealing with all kinds of chaos. People do strange things; I think Alice didn’t have compassion or empathy? Maybe she was missing something in life?

I would say I recommend watching The Carnivores, give it a chance, it’s different that’s for sure. You can get a badge and join us at the Chattanooga Virtual Film Festival, and watch some excellent films. You can check out Discord and chat with everyone. It’s been lots of fun so far. So many talented filmmakers, writers, actors, and more.