Creature feature devotees, we have reviews of two monsterrific films for you from Panic Fest’s virtual version: Creature of the Pines and The Burning of Broken Beak.
Creature of the Pines (U.S., 2026)
Official Synopsis
A documentary investigation into Pine Hollow disappearances reveals a presence lurking deep within the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Review
With Creature of the Pines, cowriters/codirectors Chris Ruppert and Tyler Transue craft a faux documentary/found footage hybrid that cryptozoology devotees should find quite intriguing. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that what lurks in the woods in this feature isn’t the usual hirsute, large-footed suspect, which should make this film even more tempting in the curiosity department.
Talking heads interview footage is interspersed between “found” footage of hikers who disappeared in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The experts and others portrayed as interview subjects largely do a solid job of seeming natural in their portrayals, a style that is not always easy to pull off. The pacing between shuffling those two distinct styles of filmmaking sometimes feels a bit off-balance regarding building and maintaining suspense, but overall Ruppert and Transue do a nice job of delivering a cohesive feature at an impressive tempo. Aficionados of sylvan shockers and cryptozoology creepiness should find plenty to like about Creature of the Pines.
Trailer at https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e04e0
The Burning of Broken Beak (New Zealand/U.S., 2026)
Official Synopsis
After the murder of her uncle, activist Maori photographer Emma returns to New Zealand to claim her inheritance. There she has visions of a monster called Broken Beak, and as more family members die, she is compelled to vengeful action.
Review
Writer/director/editor Christian Carroll’s The Burning of Broken Beak combines folk horror elements with body horror and plenty of social commentary. Briar Rose heads up a sizable cast as professional photographer Emma, whose art depicts women dressed as birds. Her trip back to her native New Zealand regarding an inheritance and her obsession with birds in her photographs leads to her becoming a suspect in the murders of others mentioned in her late uncle’s will.
The Burning of Broken Beak leans into something of a whodunit mystery — although savvy genre cinema fans will have a strong suspicion about who the killer is early on — before segueing into its folk horror and monster elements. The film is an ambitious and earnest work that may try to pack in a tad too many messages and twists in its running time, but overall it’s a well-crafted, nicely acted slice of fear fare.
Trailer at https://panicfest.eventive.org/films/69ab1fb0d0cabe43751e0580
Screenland Armour and Downright Creepy presented Panic Fest 2026, which ran April 9–13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri, with a virtual version that ran April 9–19.
