Black Goat

Directed by David Hinds

2025

Writer/director David Hinds pays tribute to a host of folkish (and not so folkish) horror films with Black Goat, set in the fictional Midlands town of Blackwood Falls. We get nods to slasher films with the strange local who tries to warn off our protagonist; there are nods to Evil Dead with the camerawork, following the characters through the forest; and there’s even a touch of Under the Skin during an effective dream sequence.

It’s a film that certainly makes an impression as well, with a cold open that follows Michael Muyunda and Rachael Caulton as hikers who get lost in the woods. Some funny back and forth between the two quickly takes a turn for the horrific, with some seriously impressive practical effects.

We jump ahead to Ben (Benjamin James Hinds), who works for the Forestry Commission and is sent out to find a source of contamination which is killing local wildlife. This takes him into the woods in search of a pond that doesn’t appear to show up on any maps, forcing him to reconnect with his brother Mike (Darren Randall) to try and get to the bottom of the issue.

The cast are all excellent, and Hinds has a knack for tight scripting. There is some waffle there, but the characters always feel realistic (apart from one scene in the Forestry Commission office which could stand to lose a couple of minutes), which helps keep scenes moving on.

The only issues come from a sense that Hind’s wasn’t 100% sure which direction to go for; a gory, balls out horror, or a slow-burn folktale. This means that we get some kill sequences which, while impressive visually, add little to the narrative, and we miss out on some lore around the actual antagonist.

Still, this is an impressive piece of work. One that looks incredible and makes the most out of its single location. A special shoutout to the visual effects artists Matthew Burkey and Nick Willet, who really shine here. This is a great calling card for all involved, and one that is worth seeking out.

★★★★

4 / 5

Matthew Tilt

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