Skinwalker: The Howl of the Rougarou

So I’ll be real here. I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to folklore, myths, and legends. My guess is you are as well. I’m not any more convinced of the existence of the Rougarou now than I was before seeing the documentary. That said, Skinwalker: The Howl of the Rougarou has several elements going for it to make it worth watching.

The first challenge is that the film’s content comes from the professionally written narration based on meticulous research. Now add the talking head interviews with experts and eyewitnesses. These elements alone make for a boring documentary. However, director Breedlove elevates the discussion with stock video footage, impressive animation, haunting music, and sound effects. Add to this some well-produced creepy re-enactments featuring someone in a werewolf costume. It might sound cheesy, but it looks pretty cool. The filmmaker does a fantastic job bringing tension/anxiety and a foreboding terror to his subjects’ stories.

“…elevates the discussion with stock video footage, impressive animation, haunting music, and sound effects.”

What fascinates me most about Skinwalker: The Howl of the Rougarou is its subtle examination of cultural folklore. There are many stories told about the origins and traditions of the Rougarou, but these tales contradict one another or seem to have minimal commonality when put together. Or maybe it’s more like the story of the blind men describing different parts of an elephant.

To me, Skinwalker: The Howl of the Rougarou is more about the evolution of legends and the role it plays in a culture. Today, stories of the Rougarou are used to scare children into not staying out late at night, deter strangers from stealing sacred artifacts of the indigenous people, or warnings to citizens not to pick up strangers walking down the highway. So consider Breedlove’s film an excellent resource for the amateur anthropologist.