Backcountry Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A couple goes camping, refuses a map because the guy thinks he’s Bear Grylls, gets lost, and then a bear has lunch.

🍿 Backcountry: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Romantic Getaway Gone Wrong

Jenn, a lawyer, and Alex, a landscaper, embark on a camping trip in a remote Canadian Provincial Park. Alex, eager to impress Jenn, insists on navigating without a map to a special spot from his childhood. Their relationship dynamics are tested early as Jenn expresses concerns about safety and Alex dismisses them, highlighting his supposed expertise.

Encounter with Brad

Deep in the forest, they encounter Brad, a seemingly experienced hiker. Brad’s unsettling presence and interaction with Jenn create tension and unease, suggesting a potential threat. This encounter serves as a red herring, diverting the audience’s attention from the true danger lurking in the woods.

Lost in the Wilderness

As they continue deeper into the park, Alex’s confidence wanes, and they become hopelessly lost. Without a map, proper supplies, or communication, they struggle to find their way back. The harsh conditions exacerbate their already fragile relationship, pushing them to their limits.

Territorial Threat

The couple discovers they have wandered into bear territory. This realization marks a shift in the film’s tone, as the threat of getting lost becomes secondary to the immediate danger of a predatory black bear. The focus shifts to survival and the primal fear of being hunted.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alex (Jeff Roop): A seasoned outdoorsman who makes a critical error in judgment, leading to dire consequences for himself and his girlfriend.
• Jenn (Missy Peregrym): A corporate lawyer who must fight for survival after becoming lost in the wilderness with her boyfriend.
• Brad (Eric Balfour): A strange and unsettling alpha male who the couple encounters in the woods, adding to the tension and unease.
• Ranger (Nicholas Campbell): A park ranger who offers the couple a map, foreshadowing their eventual misfortune.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alex: “You know we’ll be lucky to see anything bigger than a chipmunk, right?” – Alex says this dismissively at the beginning, underestimating the dangers of the backcountry.
• Ranger: “You should take a map. Seriously.” – The park ranger advises Alex to take a map, foreshadowing their later predicament when they get lost.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.7 million
• Domestic Gross: $13,848
• Worldwide Gross: $13,848

💥 Backcountry Reviews

Personal Review

As a fan of survival stories, I found ‘Blackfoot Trail’ to be genuinely unsettling. The feeling of being lost and vulnerable in the wilderness was palpable. The bear attack was brutal and realistic, making me jump out of my seat. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole ordeal, and even though it was a bit slow-paced for some parts, the tension was well done.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of survival horror films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate realistic and intense thrillers”
  • “Those interested in movies about nature and the outdoors”
  • “Audiences who enjoy films with strong female leads”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Animal attacks”
  • “Gore”
  • “Intense scenes of peril”
  • “Language”

Professional Reviews

• Collider.com: “This overlooked, frighteningly realistic horror movie will devastate you in ways others in the genre don’t. It’s a raw and visceral experience that taps into primal fears of isolation and vulnerability in the face of nature’s unforgiving power.
• ScreenDaily: “Myriad launches sales on horror ‘The Pond’ starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Douglas Smith (exclusive)Mar 6ScreenDaily.
• IMDb User: “Vastly over-rated. They are attacked by a bear and the man is killed while the woman does nothing. She runs away while her fiancée gets eaten. The relationship just didn’t hit home with me, and in all honesty I didn’t sense a whole lot of chemistry between Roop and Peregrym.

Audience Reactions

Viewers felt true fear and suspense, especially during the bear attack scene.: The film’s realism and intense atmosphere were widely appreciated.

Great, thrillerI watched the world premier at TIFF! I was on the edge of my seat for the entire movie! : I highly recommended this movie if you enjoy a movie that will keep you guessing the entire time, and that will send chills down your spine!

Overall Consensus: Viewers are divided on the movie, some praise the acting, intense atmosphere, and special effects; and others pan it for its slow pace, unlikeable characters, camera work, and predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on a true story about a couple who were attacked by a bear in Missinaibi Lake Provincial Park in 2005.”
• “Director Adam MacDonald made his feature film debut with ‘Backcountry’.”
• “The movie was filmed in just 16 days in North Bay, Ontario, Canada.”
• “The reversed roles from the true story, where the man survives instead of the woman, was a conscious decision by the filmmakers to heighten the tension and subvert expectations.”

🖥️ How to Watch Backcountry?

Backcountry is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on AMC+ and Shudder. It’s also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Prime Video. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Backcountry, you might like these similar films:

• The Edge (1997): Similar survival themes with characters battling a bear in the wilderness, focusing on human resilience and the will to live.
• Open Water (2003): Explores the primal fear of being stranded and vulnerable in nature, focusing on the psychological breakdown of a couple in a life-or-death situation.
• The Grey (2011): Highlights the intense struggle for survival against wildlife in harsh conditions.

🛒 Backcountry Related Products

• Bear Spray: A high-capacity bear deterrent to provide a safety zone in bear country. Key for any hiker to ensure protection.
• Survival Kit: A comprehensive kit for wilderness survival, including a knife, compass, fire starter, and first-aid supplies. Increases safety and likelihood of survival for campers.
• LED Headlamp: Essential for nighttime visibility, these headlamps allow you to keep your hands free for navigating dark trails or setting up camp. Increases safety in the backcountry.
• First Aid Kit: A compact and comprehensive first aid kit suitable for the backcountry. Preparedness is key to survival and recovery from bear and other animal attacks.

🎧 Soundtrack

Backcountry features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Looking For The Magic” – performed by Dwight Twilley Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bear Expert Rates 9 Bear Attacks In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wondered how realistic those bear attack scenes in movies are? This bear expert breaks down the accuracy of scenes from different movies, including Cocaine Bear, and Backcountry! It’s wild to see what Hollywood gets right (and wrong).

Black Bear Attack on Jacqueline Perry & Mark Jordan- The Real Story of The Movie Backcountry

Did you know Backcountry is based on a true story? This video details the actual bear attack that inspired the movie, and it’s honestly terrifying! Prepare yourself, it’s more intense than the film.

✨ Rate