Hoax
Synopsis: Hoax is a suspense-driven horror thriller that follows a desperate documentary team as they set out to uncover the truth behind a string of mysterious disappearances in the Colorado wilderness. Rumors point to a legendary creature lurking in the woods—a beast many believe to be Bigfoot. Determined to capture undeniable proof, the crew ventures deep into the remote forest with cameras, traps, and more ambition than caution.
Rating: Unrated
Run Time: 1 Hour 36 Minutes
Director: Matt Allen
Nudity Factor: Two minutes into the movie there is the one and only spot of nudity as a couple are having sex in a tent and the female is topless.
Of Note: The beginning monologue around the campfire is almost word for word the same as the campfire story told in Friday the 13th Part 2.
Recommendations:
As a longtime fan of Ben Browder ever since his days on Farscape (still an all-time great sci-fi show), I was immediately interested when I discovered he starred in Hoax. That curiosity alone was enough to give this film a shot.
In Hoax, Browder plays a documentary producer who is very much on his last chance to make something meaningful. Desperate for a career-saving hit, he sets his sights on Bigfoot—not the monster truck, but the legendary creature of the forest. He assembles a small crew and ventures into a remote wooded area where a brutal murder once occurred, complete with evidence suggesting a possible Bigfoot attack.
From that setup, the film quickly becomes unpredictable. The narrative jumps around, intentionally keeping the audience off balance. Is Bigfoot real? Is someone staging events? And who, exactly, is behind the “hoax”? The movie leans hard into mystery, serving up eerie caves filled with body parts, unsettling encounters with a strange family living deep in the woods, and a steady stream of misdirection. Just when you think you’ve pieced things together, the film throws in another twist—sometimes successfully, sometimes a bit excessively.
In fact, one of those twists proved to be a breaking point for the person I was watching with, who walked away entirely. And that reaction isn’t hard to understand. By the time the credits roll, Hoax leaves you with more questions than answers. If you’re not a fan of ambiguous or open-ended conclusions, this movie may test your patience.
The horror here isn’t driven by jump scares, but by atmosphere, intrigue, and moments of grotesque imagery. There’s a clever concept at the core, and you can feel the ambition behind it. Unfortunately, that ambition doesn’t always translate cleanly to the screen. The result is a film that feels thoughtfully conceived but unevenly executed.
I walked away with mixed feelings. Hoax has some genuinely interesting ideas and moments that linger, but it doesn’t fully stick the landing. For viewers who enjoy mystery-driven horror and don’t mind loose ends, it’s worth a watch—but those looking for clarity or traditional scares may find it frustrating.