Because of horror movies, we’ve come to see small towns and forgotten places as inherently bad — full of isolated people who don’t particularly take well to outsiders. I don’t think that’s necessarily true; it may just be that these communities are built around a certain way of life. The problem is, when people from the outside do come in, they might not understand the traditions and values of the community they’re entering — especially if those traditions include a creature with a bloodlust that must be fulfilled constantly. The Grimm Backward is that type of movie, blending smalltown hick living with a monster and an endless hunger.
When a desperate late-night call lures a cocktail waitress and her boyfriend to a decaying desert town, she discovers Ox Bow is haunted by the Grimm-a soul-devouring creature that feeds in gruesome fashion-and must fight to survive a visceral, retro sci-fi nightmare built on blood, sacrifice, and betrayal.
The Grimm Backward, IMDB
Bar girl Krista and her deadbeat boyfriend Dean are constantly at odds. After being let down by him once again, the two find themselves joining up to help out a mutual friend at a backwoods desert town. Unfortunately for them, the townsfolk go from warm and welcoming to downright dangerous, capturing the pair and threatening to feed them to “The Grimm.” Krista is in for an even more disturbing revelation when Dean finally shows who he really is.
The Grimm Backward is really two subgenres in one: the backwoods townie trope, and the tradition-ridden monster that roams that same town but is kept a secret for whatever reason. We start off with our usual 20-somethings going from center of civilization to a rural setting and immediately getting into trouble. The desert locale really feels small and in the middle of nowhere — likely because of the small cast size — so this film does feel as remote as it is portrayed.
The monster of the movie doesn’t come in until the second half, after the pair are captured. At first, The Grimm Backward leads us to believe the real threat are the townsfolk; in reality, the monstrous creature hidden away is what they need to be wary of. Tonight is feeding night, and Krista and Dean are next on the menu… well, until Dean reveals his true intentions, leading to a third surprise trope similar to the fake relationship in Get Out.
The Grimm Backward, despite being released this year, felt very early 2000s in terms of both overall look and casting. Not a bad thing at all, just something that threw me off at first, especially considering how cool and modern the Grimm looked. Pale skin, pointed fangs, and surrounded by buzzing insects, this monster is one I both want to know more about as well as get far, far away from. This guy takes Pennywise and the Creeper’s years-apart feeding stints and cranks that up to 100, ensuring the townsfolk have to keep on their toes with ritualistic betrayals in order to not get killed themselves. I do also want to make sure to point out the practical effect work in both the Grimm and the kills; our creepy creature certainly boasts stage presence and does look rather frightening. And even the more mundane kills are done well with realistic blood and wounds (one gunshot to the head in particular really sealed the deal).
Just over an hour long, The Grimm Backward makes the most of its lower budget; I may not be the biggest fan of backwoods killers or early 2000s aesthetics, but I can appreciate the work that went into making the film, especially when it comes to the Big Bad and various kill scenes. If you’re a fan of townie terrors or millennial mayhem, The Grimm Backward might just be for you.
The Grimm Backward is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video. For more, follow the film on Instagram.
