The Wildman of Shaggy Creek * Fresh And Spooky New Twist On The Legendary Story Of Bigfoot
Scott’s move to a new town becomes a heart-pounding adventure when he accepts a dare to camp in the Shaggy Creek woods. Armed with his fearless friend Hailey, he must confront the legend of a terrifying Bigfoot creature lurking in the shadows.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Isabella V. comments, “The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is a suspenseful, heartfelt movie with an incredible message about fear. It has great unpredictable twists along with amazing performances from the whole cast that allow for a scary and thoughtful film.” Junior R. adds, “The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is not just another movie about a legendary creature, it is so much more. This movie is part mystery, with a heartwarming twist, and a side of totally awesome. I loved every minute!” Ari C. adds, “Kudos to Jesse Edwards for writing and directing this film and to Hudson Hensley for perfectly portraying his character, Scott. He really captures the emotions of a sad kid who has just moved to a new state and his character’s progression is amazing.” Jackson N. adds, “The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is a fresh and spooky new twist on the legendary story of Bigfoot. This movie mixes mystery, suspense, and just the right amount of creepiness to get you in the mood for Halloween. At its heart, it’s about learning to face your fears, even when you’d rather run the other way.” See their full reviews below.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek
By Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
The story follows Scott (Hudson Hensley), who moves to a new town for his mom’s (Allee Sutton Hethcoat) job, leaving everyone he knew behind without a word. When he moves, he’s told that the woods behind his house have a Wildman living there that attacks children who enter, and he soon is forced to see if the tale is real.
The cinematography in this movie is immaculate, not only does it support the feeling of suspense, but also, everything looks gorgeous. The shots in the woods are breathtaking; however, they also add to the eerie feeling that something is watching Scott.
I especially enjoyed how the camera moves alongside Scott as he runs. Another technical aspect that adds to the eerie feeling is the sound design. The more the movie shows the woods, the more sounds of the Wildman are heard, increasing the fear that something is there. The acting is exceptional, especially Hudson Hensley and Allee Sutton Hethcoat as Scott and Charlotte. Hensley perfectly encapsulates what it’s like for a child to move, and I found myself understanding where he was coming from. Hethcoat had me fully convinced she loved her child more than anything else. These performances contributed to a heartwarming and emotional experience for me.
The screenplay is very well written and perfectly blends the fear of leaving with finding a monster together. These overlapping themes add so much to Scott’s character arc and it is very satisfying to watch the story unfold.
The film’s message is to not let fear ruin your relationships with the people that you care about, no matter how scared you are. Be forewarned that there are some intense scenes and horror elements throughout the film, along with depictions of bullying.
I give The Wildman of Shaggy Creek 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 12. It is available on digital platforms including Apple TV, Plex, and Fandango at Home now. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-wildman-of-shaggy-creek/umc.cmc.12u72tqeqz9oaf18ddfgygnp4
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek
By Junior R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is not just another movie about a legendary creature, it is so much more. This movie is part mystery, with a heartwarming twist, and a side of totally awesome. I loved every minute!
The storyline follows Scott (Hudson Hensley), a new kid in town, who hears a creepy local legend – that the Wildman, a Bigfoot-like creature, lives in the woods and eats kids who get too close. When some older kids dare him to camp out overnight in the Shaggy Creek woods, Scott decides to do it to prove he’s not scared. His friend Hailey (Ayla Bullington) goes with him, and what starts as a joke quickly turns into something much scarier. What Scott and Hailey discover changes their friendship forever.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is positive, respectful, and uplifting. It is adventurous and a tiny bit spooky all thanks to director Jesse Edwards. Hudson Hensley, as Scott, is great – he’s funny and relatable, and when he’s scared, you can really feel it. Hailey is smart, brave, and downright hilarious! She’s definitely the brains behind most of their plans. Hailey’s older brother, Zach (Brycen Patterson) plays the mean bully impeccably. The foggy woods look like a real supernatural and eerie place. The awesome lighting and the low, spooky music that builds tension are the perfect combination for the epic jump scare. My favorite part is the scene where Scott and Hailey set up lanterns and bells in the trees to trap the creature; it is mysterious and exhilarating. You’ll have to watch to see if their trap works!
The film’s message is about courage, bravery, and friendship. Scott learns that change can be scary but also exciting, and sometimes it helps you grow and become braver. Accepting change means being open to new experiences and challenges, even if they seem strange at first. It also shows how working together and trusting your gut can help you solve problems. There’s nothing inappropriate in it; just some jump scares that are fun, and not too terrifying.
I give The Wildman of Shaggy Creek 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is available for online screening now including Apple TV, Plex, and Fandango at Home.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek
By Ari C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
I absolutely love The Wildman of Shaggy Creek. It has amazing acting, a warm storyline, relatable characters, and music that perfectly match the mood.
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is a heart-warming story about a boy named Scott (Hudson Hensley) who must move to a new home in Tennessee. Scott’s new house is right in front of a mysterious forest. This forest, according to legend, is home to a Sasquatch-like creature known as the Wildman of Shaggy Creek who is said to eat children. After being pressured by his bully, Zach (Bryson Patterson), Scott spends a night in the woods accompanied by his friend, Hailey (Ayla Bullington). Throughout the story, Scott must deal with finding the courage to talk to his friends, adjusting to his new home, and most of all, navigating the forest and the infamous Wildman.
Kudos to Jesse Edwards for writing and directing this film and to Hudson Hensley for perfectly portraying his character, Scott. He really captures the emotions of a sad kid who has just moved to a new state and his character’s progression is amazing. He and Ayla Bullington, who plays Hailey, complement each other nicely. It’s incredible watching them work together; they just click. I also love the way Bryson Patterson and Hudson Hensley work together – they perfectly show the rivalry between their characters and how their relationship grows over time. While the film has some characteristics of a horror story, it’s a warm-hearted story about family and friendship that makes you feel happy. Jose Skertchly perfectly matches the music to the mood throughout the film.
Screenwriter Jesse Edwards has created characters that feel so real and are easy for viewers to connect to. My favorite part is when Scott and Hailey see something in the woods thinking it’s just Zach in a costume, but it’s actually the infamous monster.
The film’s message is about the importance of family and friendship and a reminder that things aren’t always as they appear. Note that this film does have a few scary moments, but nothing too extreme.
I give The Wildman of Shaggy Creek 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch this film on digital platforms including Apple TV, Plex, and Fandango at Home now.
The Wildman Of Shaggy Creek
By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12
The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is a fresh and spooky new twist on the legendary story of Bigfoot. This movie mixes mystery, suspense, and just the right amount of creepiness to get you in the mood for Halloween. At its heart, it’s about learning to face your fears, even when you’d rather run the other way. With some talented rising actors and a plot full of surprises, this film offers a fun ride for kids and families who like stories that blend adventure with a little bit of fright.
The story takes place in a cozy suburban neighborhood where a new family is moving in. Like many families, they have their ups and downs—missing their moving truck and struggling to adjust—but it’s their son, Scott (Hudson Hensley), who has the hardest time. He feels uprooted from his old life and friends, and he’s not excited about starting over. Things get even stranger when he notices a shadowy figure in the woods behind his house. Is it just a neighborhood bully messing with him, or could it actually be the Wildman of Shaggy Creek, a creature people whisper about but no one has ever truly proven exists? Scott’s curiosity pushes him to explore, even though he’s scared, and this leads to some suspenseful and exciting moments.
If I had to pick one quote to encapsulate this film, it’s when Scott is in the car and his mom (Alee Sutton Hethcoat) says how happy she is that he has some new friends. Scott responds with, “I liked the friends I had.” This perfectly shows the way he feels like he is being pushed into a new life that he didn’t ask for. It makes Scott’s character relatable, especially for kids who have had to move or start at a new school. He feels stuck, angry, and honestly, can you blame him? The suspense is handled well for the most part, with eerie sounds, mysterious shadows, and lots of moments where you wonder what’s about to happen. However, some scenes feel a little forced, like the filmmakers were trying too hard to build tension by keeping things hidden for too long. Also, the school set looks a bit unrealistic because there aren’t enough students or cars to make it feel like a real place. These small issues don’t ruin the story, but they do stand out.
The main message of The Wildman of Shaggy Creek is clear – you can’t live your life fully unless you face your fears. Along the way, the film also explores friendship, homesickness, and the courage it takes to start fresh in a new place. Parents should know that the movie is kid and family friendly, but it does include suspenseful moments and loud roaring sounds that might startle very young viewers.
I give The Wildman of Shaggy Creek 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. You can watch it on select streaming services including Apple TV, Plex, and Fandango at Home now.
