the audience applauded

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

A group of annoying American surfers hook up with a couple of locals who take them to an off limits region of the Darien Gap to swim in some magical waters, ignoring the poorly shot on-line video of two guys who go missing there.About an hour into the film we see the creatures with a jerky camera. It is not that this is a strictly hand held film, it was not. It was just shot poorly to give to the effect of something scary that was not really effective. The film lacks characters and dialogue to make the wait worth while.If you liked "Tasmanian Devils" (and not many people did) you might like this one too.Guide: F-bomb (2 languages). Brief Implied sex. No nudity.

RELEASED IN 2014 and directed by Alastair Orr, "Indigenous" covers events in Panama when five college-age youths vacation there for some fun in the sun. Things go awry when they visit a beautiful waterfall in a forbidden area of the jungle. This is a professionally made monster-in-the-forest flick with a competent no-name cast highlighted by gorgeous Panamanian locations and winsome Laura Penuela in a bikini. Precious Lindsey McKeon is another highlight on the female front. My only problems are that (1.) the plot's hackneyed, particularly bringing to mind "The Last Tribe" (2009), which is marginally better in some ways. Other flicks come to mind, like "Touristas" (2007) and "The Ruins" (2008), which are superior to the other two. (2.) There's no depth in the plot: This is a monster movie focusing on partying youths getting chased in the forest by savage creatures and that's it. As such, the film's not very compelling despite the horror and thrills. On the bright side, the last act throws in an unexpected curve ball and shows that the movie wasn't micro-budget. Another positive is that this is arguably the best and most realistic chupacabra flick out there (keeping in mind that I've only seen four such movies). Speaking of which, 'chupacabra' is a Spanish word, which literally means "goat-sucker" (from chupar "to suck" and cabra "goat"). There are two varieties of this cryptozoological beast: (1.) a reptile-like creature with leathery/scaly greenish-gray skin and sharp spines or quills running down its back; and (2.) a hairless form of canine with a pronounced spinal ridge and prominent eye sockets, fangs, and claws. "Indigenous" interestingly features neither of these, although the creatures come closer to the first description, I suppose. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 26 minutes was shot in Panama. WRITER: Max Roberts. GRADE: B-/C+ (5.5/10)

The one thing that instills excitement is the magnificent-looking Panamanian forest locale. The characters are thoroughly one-note and utter some of the crappiest dialogue you'll ever hear. The lead male character even passes a smug-grin (or something similar!) during a pretty dire situation.The film, directed by Alastair Orr, takes quite a bit of time before it embraces its horror conception. The first forty minutes is merely tourism advertising for the country. Not one character amongst the "group of friends" exhibit any subtlety to make them stand out, or get the viewer to empathize. All the essentials have been ticked off: a happy intimate couple, a couple that's going through a rough patch and the playboy who hooks up with a local. This group seems to have really horrible decision-making skills too. When the chupacabra begins to hunt them down, they decide to "head for higher ground", while making a run towards their vehicle would have made more sense. The lead male character ventures into the cave of the supposed monster all by himself with a flickering torchlight and catches a good view of the beast devouring human flesh before he decides to run off. While the social media angle was a welcome diversion, the final act seemed too far-fetched. The creature looked ghastly: some not-bad make-up work on the features! Camera-work is fine while capturing the rich natural essence of Panama but shaky during those scenes which are supposed to induce terror. This movie is likely to be compared with Neil Marshall's 'The Descent' for its similar looking flesh-eating monster, but sans great story- telling and claustrophobic dread. One does feel that the director could've utilized the dense forest setting to his advantage but 'Indigenous' ends up an average fare.Verdict: A B-movie with very little genre-thrills!

I started off on the wrong foot with this film after reading a negative review I was determined not to like it, and for the first 30 mins or so my thoughts and feelings were flowing that way too.From the very being and introduction the film states the statistics of 3 billion people (I would hate to see their phone bill after getting in touch with that many folk). After the first 30mins of guys drinking, surfing, chatting, sunsets, sunrises and love making the film gathers some pace and action in the jungle with monsters - yikes!I gave this film a 6 not bad worth a check out.