Cryptids Bigfoot, Nessie and Mothman hog the limelight, even if they don’t meant to. No one can deny their status as icons, but that certain trio is only the tip of the iceberg in cryptozoology. However, people like Anthony Cousins are bold enough to make movies about the more obscure cryptids. The underdogs, if you will. Or, in this case, an underfrog. Cousins’ directorial debut (as the sole director) focuses on Loveland, Ohio’s most famous resident: Frogman. As silly as this particular cryptid comes across, this movie refreshingly paints him in a terrifying light.
Cryptids were made for found footage. And although this cinematic technique has fallen out of favor in recent years — partly due to its overuse last decade — the likes of Frogman are best captured from a first-person perspective. There is no shortage of new found-footage horror nowadays; these movies proliferate on streaming services. However, their general quality has taken a considerable nosedive. Frogman would not have worked as well had it followed suit and been just another slapdash effort. On the contrary, Anthony Cousins showed discernible dedication when bringing Loveland’s mascot to life.
Similar to The Blair Witch Project, the characters of Frogman go in search of evidence of an American-grown legend. The pacing is a touch more sprightly here, especially since this movie gives us a sizable sneak preview of the namesake in those first five minutes. From there the story follows the capturer of the hotly debated footage in question; Dallas (Nathan Tymoshuk) was only a young boy when he recorded the Frogman during a family vacation back in ’99. Now older and still crashing in his sister’s guestroom, Dallas seeks to validate his strange encounter all those years ago as well as make a name for himself. Joining him are his best friend, Scotty (Benny Barrett), and his will-they-won’t-they love interest, Amy (Chelsey Grant). Two-thirds of this trio do not take the assignment seriously, whereas the protagonist is determined to bring back incontrovertible proof of the Frogman’s existence.
Admittedly, Frogman lacks narrative innovation, but Cousins compensates with rather convincing visual effects to set his found-footager apart from those many others like it. And once the characters finally have their inevitable first meeting with the creature in question — after all the usual interpersonal tedium — the movie’s kid gloves come off. Icky body horror and capable jump-scares enhance a highly nutty backend. The absurdity of the Loveland Frog is replaced with plausible terror. Not an easy feat, all things considered.
Those found-footage clichés continue are in full force here — such as the camera staying on at all times, and the convenient video glitches whenever anything uncanny is about to happen — but Frogman handles them all well enough. The characters’ shooting choice of Hi8, while not too logical from a story standpoint, also demonstrates why the analog method is superior to the more clear and intact digital recordings of other movies.
Frogman won’t likely win anything for originality, yet its entertainment value and impressive presentation — it takes a lot of work to make something look so low budget — are worth emphasizing. In this landscape of haphazardly made found-footage horror, this nimble cryptid-feature easily clears its contemporaries.
Frogman will be available at VOD outlets on March 8, 2024.
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