Eerie French Cannibals Resurface in Netflix’s ‘American Primeval’
Netflix’s American Primeval, which premiered on January 9, 2025, intricately blends historical fiction with horror elements, drawing attention for its disturbing portrayal of a French Canadian family reminiscent of the cannibalistic villains in Wes Craven’s 1977 classic, The Hills Have Eyes. The series, created by Peter Berg and written by Mark L. Smith, focuses on the fraught lifestyles of those navigating the tumultuous expansion of the American West.
Production Details and Reception
The six-episode miniseries features an impressive cast led by Taylor Kitsch as Isaac Reed, alongside Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, Shea Whigham, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, and Kim Coates as Brigham Young. Directed by Berg, notable for his work on Friday Night Lights and Lone Survivor, American Primeval has garnered mixed critical reviews, holding a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audience score sits at a strong 86%. Since its release, it has consistently ranked among Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows in the U.S., indicating a strong viewer engagement despite the critical divide.
The French Canadian Family and Historical Context
In episode 3 of American Primeval, an ominous group of French Canadian travelers ensnares Sara and Isaac, showcasing the dangerous realities of frontier life. Historically, many French explorers and trappers ventured into the Utah Territory in the 1800s, chiefly driven by the fur trade. Among the notable figures was Étienne Provost, recognized for his extensive explorations, as noted by Utah History. This mixture of real history and horror elements allows American Primeval to fidelity its violent narratives to the historical backdrop of the American West while shaking up the traditional Western genre.
Cannibalism and Horror Elements
The show’s French Canadian family is depicted with a horrifying semblance that borders on the inhuman, a portrayal suggesting the effects of inbreeding and cannibalism on their physical and moral characteristics. These traits symbolize their detachment from civilization, ultimately reducing them to a primitive state. According to Berg, these fictional representations of French Canadians living off the land in 1857 emphasize their menacing nature, as he describes them as "not the ideal folks that you wanted to run into accidentally or on purpose."
This creative choice not only enriches the series’ horror aspect but also serves as a narrative tool, heightening the tension between the civilized protagonists and the savage antagonists. The comparison to Pluto, the cannibalistic character from The Hills Have Eyes, reinforces this horror-infused narrative, with visual and thematic elements intertwined into the American Primeval storyline.
Cultural Significance and Future Prospects
American Primeval stands out for its bold character design and narrative tension, reflecting on myths surrounding early American frontier life and the darkness lying beneath its colonial triumphs. As a limited series, it faces the typical question of continuity, which Berg has hinted could lead to future seasons, stirring curiosity on where the story might extend next.
Released on Netflix, American Primeval accomplishes both a critical reflection on the complexities of historical narratives and an engaging horror drama, exploring themes of survival and morality in a lawless land. Its reception has sparked discussions surrounding its depiction of violence and humanity, crucial for viewers and critics alike as they analyze its contribution to modern Western storytelling.
In conclusion, the interplay of history, horror, and character development in American Primeval not only entertains but potentially reshapes perceptions of an often-glamorized American West, marking a significant entry in the current landscape of television series.
