The Wasteland Reviewer

Beware Boiuna (2026) Written Review

What is an age-old horror subgenre that still works today? Giant Monster Movies. Honestly, making an animal into a giant beast would probably make it scary on some level. But there are certainly different types of animals that freak people out even if they are not giant monsters. Snakes are one such reptile that have a bad reputation amongst the public but making them enormous certainly would be some nightmare fuel. This would not be a new experience as films like Anaconda already exist. But with Beware Boiuna, you have probably never seen a snake so large and terrifying before in a film. 

What is Mike P. Nelson’s new creature feature even about? The screenplay by Nelson, Tony Giglio, and Alan B. McElroy crafts a story about many things (and maybe with a few too many threads). There is plenty of set up that goes into the experience of Beware Boiuna. The film opens with a guerilla raid of a big company site in the middle of the rainforest. One of the overarching themes of the film is the conflict because of humanity and nature. The giant, mythical snake in the film’s title is quite the clear representation of this conflict with the forest finding a way to fight back. The split of the human characters is also clear…those who respect and protect the rainforest and everyone else who comes into the forest with their own intentions. There is plenty of time spent on the set up in Beware Boiuna but much of the commentary remains blunt and surface level. A group of white doctors bringing their own culture into the equation is a threat. The corporate types that appear in the forest are similar yet more malicious. All these white characters distract from the clearer protagonist in Lena, a young woman from this place who works on a boat and whose deep connection to the land makes her someone who can stand up to this beast. The first half of the film is convoluted and clunky, but it finally gives way to a thrilling and brutal second half that is simpler, clearer, and more effective. 

How does Nelson carry his previous horror success to Beware Boiuna? The energy that the film has is quite electric. Once the film becomes a thrill ride full of tension and brutality, that is where Nelson truly shines. There is a manic energy and intensity that Nelson crafts that ratchets up throughout the second act of the film. For almost 45 minutes straight, the film becomes an unrelenting horror ride that does not disappoint. A few memorable set pieces truly tie it together. There are some shaky elements including some moments that feel a little over-edited, but the filmmaking is honestly the film’s greatest strength. The visuals of the film are gritty and textured with cinematographer Nick Junkersfeld making the film come to life. Stephen Lukach’s score is intense and propulsive, which aids in crafting such a hellacious experience. The visual effects for the snake are quite effective too even with a modest budget. Nelson knows when to keep it at a distance and use the night to deliver the greatest effect. The unfortunate shortcoming of the film is this second half comes way too long after the start of the film. Too long of set up drags the pacing of the film quite a bit.

Where does the cast fit into this? Kiana Madeira is the clear standout portraying Lena. There is a toughness and vulnerability that Madeira balances well. When Lena stands her ground, you feel the power and intensity of Madeira’s performance. There are a few emotional moments that she delivers in that give the film some surprising amounts of depth as well. Jessica Rothe (who needs way more work after how great she was in the Happy Death Day movies) gets a decent spotlight here and her natural charisma is a standout. Logan Marshall-Green can shine in certain roles, and this film gives him a decent amount of fear and anger to expel on screen. There are a few more pieces in the cast who make an impact, but it is the trio of Madeira, Marshall-Green, and Rothe who leave it all on the table. 

Is Beware Boiuna a worthwhile creature feature for the horror crowd out there? This is a film that has a great core but too much around it muddles the experience. The snake elements are terrifying, and Nelson has some great ideas that come to life so well on screen. There are plenty of big ideas that Nelson’s film introduces but never digs too deep into. A strong core cast and thrilling film making balance out the buckets of set-up needed to get things started. You will also not find too many films that are as brutal and dangerous as Beware Boiuna which is a film that delivers some real stakes, and shocking moments along the way.