This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Portland Horror Film Festival! Kicking off the festival was a screening of Alma & the Wolf, which was filmed right here in Oregon. Written by Abby Miller (Congratulations) and directed by Michael Patrick Jann (Drop Dead Gorgeous, Organ Trail), the film centers on a deputy in a small coastal town as he investigates a supposed wolf attack. When his estranged teenage son goes missing, the deputy becomes convinced the strange wolf is behind the disappearance.

If you’re someone who enjoys small town drama, complicated mysteries, supernatural occurrences, and even a touch of body horror, then Alma & the Wolf might be the film for you. The film starts out fairly normally, highlighting the foggy, isolated setting while introducing Deputy Ren Accord. It takes almost no time at all for things to get strange. At first, Ren becomes consumed by investigating reports of a dog killed by a wolf. Once his son vanishes, Ren frantically tries to find him, sure the wolf had something to do with it all. There is a deep, compelling journey at the heart of this film as it puts the darker side of human nature under the spotlight. It’s a story that keeps the audience guessing as each passing moment becomes more and more surreal.

While there’s no denying Alma & the Wolf delivers an edge-of-your-seat viewing experience, it is also sure to polarize audiences. Part of this is thanks to the uneven tone throughout the story. Overall, the plot is quite serious, conveying the downfall of a deeply troubled individual. Yet throughout, there are many laugh out loud moments. The question is, are those moments intentional or unintentional? On top of this uncertain, uneven tone, the climax of Alma & the Wolf throws audiences for another loop. The journey itself has more than a few bizarre moments, and the ending makes a big revelation some will love, some will hate, and the rest will be left confused.

A definitive highlight of Alma & the Wolf is the performances. Ethan Embry (The Devil’s Candy, The Guest) stars as Ren. It’s clear Ren is a complicated man, stuck between who he was in his high school prime and who he wants to be. Embry creates a delicate balance between a man determined to be better and to save his son, along with the obvious addiction and anger issues that are dragging him down. Watching the film, it’s apparent Embry embraced the insanity, which was definitely confirmed for PHFF audiences who were lucky enough to have him at the screening for a Q&A. Li Jun Li (Sinners, Babylon) plays Alma, an old friend of Ren’s whose dog was the wolf’s first victim. Li is absolutely breathtaking in this role. Alma at times is bewildered, combative, flirty, kind, sinister, and everything in between. Embry and Li also have fantastic on-screen chemistry, adding to the intrigue of the plot.

Adding to the sense of surreal insanity are the unique visuals and haunting sounds of Alma & the Wolf. The visuals will undoubtedly be the first thing audiences notice. The locations all have a sad, dreary appearance with the fog and rain overtaking the rural setting. These locations are brought to the big screen with striking cinematography and eye-catching editing. As the small town descends into chaos, the film incorporates a range of stunning practical effects, including gore and monstrous transformations. Both the sound design and the musical score help add to the thrills and chills unfolding in rural Oregon.

Alma & the Wolf is a one-of-a-kind, surreal, nightmarish journey that will give audiences emotional whiplash. With such high highs and low lows, I find myself unable to give a typical number rating, so instead I will say it’s a film that needs to be experienced first-hand*. Miller and Jann created art that is more than just a film, it’s a wild descent into madness. Embry and Li are the heart of the film, bringing to life raw, complicated characters. With bizarre sights and sounds to accompany the strange story, there’s no denying this will be a memorable moviegoing experience. If you missed the film at PHFF, be sure to catch Alma & the Wolf in select theaters beginning Friday, June 20th.

OVERALL RATING: must see*