If you’re a fan of survival horror that’s actually grounded in terrifying reality, mark your calendars! Saban Films is about to drop Grizzly Night, and it looks like a total white-knuckle ride!
The True Story Behind the Terror
This isn’t just another creature feature. The movie is actually based on a haunting piece of American history. Known as the “Night of the Grizzlies,” the true story recounts a tragic, unprecedented series of events on August 12, 1967. Two 19-year-old women, Julie Helgeson and Michele Koons, were killed by different grizzly bears in separate locations of Glacier National Park.
There had never been a fatal bear attack in the park’s 57-year history. However, decades of bears becoming “food-conditioned” by open trash pits and tourists feeding them for photos had turned the predators into a ticking time bomb.
Both women were dragged from their sleeping bags in the middle of the night while their companions were forced to flee for their lives. The tragedy became a massive wake-up call for the National Park Service, leading to the first modern wildlife management policies, such as bear-proof trash cans and strict “pack-in, pack-out” rules, to ensure humans and bears could coexist more safely.
A Powerhouse Cast
For a survival thriller, this cast is stacked! The cast includes Charles Esten (“Outer Banks”), Oded Fehr (The Mummy), and Brec Bassinger (Final Destination: Bloodlines). The cast doesn’t stop there. Matt Lintz (“The Walking Dead”), Joel Johnstone (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), and Jack Griffo (Sharknado 3) also star.
The film marks the feature debut for director Burke Doeren. The script was penned by Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean (“Dexter: Resurrection”).
More Than Just a Creature Feature
While the trailer promises plenty of scares, the creators wanted to make sure the film had a soul. Director Burke Doeren noted that the core of the project is our relationship with the planet.
“Grizzly Night carries an important message of respecting nature and wildlife,” Doeren said. “We only have one planet, and we need to respect the animals who inhabit it with us. I’m so thankful our cast and crew connected so deeply with that message.”
Get Ready to Stream It
Whether you’re a history buff, a horror fan, or love a good “man vs. nature” showdown, this is one you can’t miss. Grab your popcorn and check out the trailer now—maybe don’t watch it right before your next camping trip! Grab your bear spray, Grizzly Night hits VOD platforms on January 30.
