Trying to break toxic cycles in our own lives can be an overwhelming challenge. But when those cycles go generations deep, it can be a special kind of hell to sever them. The new psychological horror film Ancestral Beasts sets out to explore these bonds and how holding on to them can become its own kind of monster.
It tells the story of Elyse, a young Métis woman, as she returns to her family home to face down the demons of her past. Only to find a literal demon in the form of a grotesque creature who begins stalking her. She must defeat it before it kills her and everyone she loves. The upcoming film stars Morgan Holmstrom (Outlander) and Asivak Koostachin (Duster), with an almost all-indigenous cast and crew.
The film is written and directed by Métis filmmaker Tim Riedel (Jackstones). Riedel presented a proof of concept at Cannes’ Marché du Film in 2025. Now, it will make its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival on July 22. The movie is also the first acquisition for Cercamon’s new genre sales arm, Vorteks.
Riedel on Ancestral Beasts
“The theme of the film is the idea of curses,” Riedel tells Variety. “What we inherit is not our fault, but we often allow those things to become our responsibility.” Referring to mental health struggles of family members. Unfortunately, it is all too common to watch people slip away due to poor mental health, either through a lack of resources or the drive to seek help.
The process of making Ancestral Beasts allowed Riedel to reconnect with his own culture and roots. “An elder challenged me: ‘You seem to be traveling all over the world telling other people’s stories. Why don’t you ever tell our stories?’” he explains. “You’re not supposed to disagree with an elder; you’re supposed to take time to listen and contemplate. So, I did.”
Despite Métis’ rich folklore, the creature in Ancestral Beasts is a work of pure fiction and not based on any legends. “I don’t like putting our folklore out there,” Riedel says. “As far as I know, there are no creatures from our mythologies that look like a giant centipede, with gnarled old hands for a head. I wanted something unique, and this was the image I had in mind. The centipede is representative of the homeland but also gives that creepy feeling. The hand represents intergenerational trauma handed down from generation to generation.”
Ancestral Beasts will premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival on July 22. Followed by a rare 2nd screening on July 28. You can check out the new trailer for the film below:
