4) Cub
US Distribution: TBD
Release Date: TBD
Jonas Govaerts has made some pretty rad music videos in his time, but nothing compares to his directorial feature, Cub. Coming from the mystical land of Belgium, Govaerts tells a horrifying campfire story by using an actual campfire setting and a pack of boy scouts who are supposedly prepared for anything. Cub is extremely stylish, which comes from Govaerts’ proven talents, but he also shows a command of tension when the children find themselves running away from an urban legend.
Besides plenty of able performances and your typical slasher lore, there are some fantastic set pieces that bring Govaerts’ woodland inhabitant to life, like a gigantic twiggy nest where the film’s “villain” resides. The entire film could have simply taken place amidst a densely wooded area, but a few other locales offer pleasantly appealing changes in pace. Mix in some killer scout-themed traps and a few twists, and Cub becomes anything but just another natural slasher.
Like I said before, Cub is a campfire story worth fearing!