REVIEW: “Grizzly Night” (2026)

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I’m jokingly wondering if we’re starting to see a trend of movies focused on killer bears – a “bearsploitation” genre, if you will. It seems like a lot of bear attack movies have come out recently, similar to the wave of shark movies we’ve had. I like the sound of “bearsploitation” and think it fits!

“Grizzly Night” is the newest film in what might be a fictional category of movies, though it aims for a more realistic and serious tone. The survival thriller is based on a true story detailed in John Olsen’s 1969 book, “Night of the Grizzlies.” The book recounts the tragic events of August 13, 1967, when two 19-year-old women were killed by grizzly bears while camping at Glacier National Park in Montana, in separate attacks nine miles apart. Both women were fatally mauled.

Despite its thrilling title, “Grizzly Night” is a true story about a terrifying bear attack and the brave efforts of park rangers and campers to find and rescue the victims. The film follows Julie Helgeson (Brec Bassinger) as she goes camping with her boyfriend, Roy (Matt Lintz), near Granite Park Chalet. Meanwhile, nine miles away at Trout Lake, Julie’s friend Michelle Koons (Ali Skovbye) is camping with a group of four friends. Soon, a shocking and unexpected event occurs.

As a lifelong movie fan, I was immediately hooked by the setup. Glacier National Park has never had a bear attack in its history – until this one fateful August night. The film kicks off with a terrifying double attack. First, a grizzly mauls a hiker named Roy, and then, unbelievably, turns on Julie, dragging her into the woods. Roy, badly injured, somehow manages to find help – a group of campers on an overnight hike led by a brand new park ranger, Joan Devereaux. Suddenly, this inexperienced ranger is thrown into a nightmare situation: she has to get Roy medical attention and find Julie before it’s too late. It’s a really gripping start!

Joan receives assistance from other campers – a doctor (Oded Fehr), a minister (Joel Johnstone), and a wildlife expert (Skyler Bible). Most of the film focuses on their attempts to rescue Roy and find Julie. The script, written by Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean, introduces some compelling supporting characters who add depth to the real story the movie is based on. However, not all of these characters are well-developed, and some feel like unnecessary additions with weak acting.

Michelle also faces an attack by a grizzly bear, but her story feels squeezed into the last twenty minutes of the film. Unlike Julie’s more developed storyline, Michelle’s feels rushed and doesn’t have the same emotional weight. This problem extends to the movie’s ending, which feels clumsy and doesn’t quite land as intended. While “Grizzly Night” does stay true to the actual events, it struggles to create a truly compelling or impactful drama.

Despite a flawed script and limited resources, first-time director Burke Doeren creates a watchable film, boosted by the beautiful Montana landscapes. However, the story’s confusing structure prevents key plot points from fully landing, and the film ultimately falls short of delivering a powerful emotional impact or clear message.

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2026-01-26 18:57