Since the early 2000s, the Syfy channel has made a name for itself within the monster-movie sub-genre of horror. The network has produced countless creature features that are memorable, not for their high quality, but for their inexplicably entertaining low-budget films that are so bad they morph into hilarious romps audiences can’t get enough of. Despite greenlighting famously cheesy franchises like Sharknado and mediocre must-see flicks like Frankenfish, one of Syfy’s original films ditches the corniness for creating a worthwhile watch.
Written and directed by Ryan Schifrin, Abominable first premiered in theaters on April 10, 2006, and was released on DVD in October of that year. Following a tragic climbing accident of the now paraplegic widower Preston Rogers (Matt McCoy), the film expertly confronts grief through the fear of the unknown. Throughout its runtime, Schifrin’s work includes convincing characters, realistic special effects, and a terrifying creature reveal that leaves audiences never wanting to go into the woods again. Although receiving average reviews, the film stands out, not just compared to the wacky premises Syfy is known for, but as an exceptional addition to the monster genre as a whole.
What Is Abominable About?
Abominable (2006) tells the grievous story of Preston Rogers after a climbing accident costs him his wife and the use of his legs. Six months after the catastrophic equipment failure, the widower is taken back for the first time to the remote mountain cabin home he previously shared with his deceased spouse by his live-in nurse, Otis (Christien Tinsley). After their arrival, a group of young women, Amanda (Haley Joel), C.J. (Karen Anna Cheung), Karen (Ashley Hartman), Tracy (Tiffany Shepis), and Michelle (Natalie Compagno), pull up to the rental cabin next door for a bachelorette party.
Using his binoculars while he can before the sun sets, Preston notices Karen outside trying to find cell service. Continuing to glance around, he looks away at the worst moment. After a muffled yell, Preston focuses again on Karen to find that she has suddenly vanished — her cell phone on the ground, the only trace left behind. Tensions build as Preston suspects there may be someone or something in the woods that took her. Facing obstacle after obstacle to contact the authorities and the girls next door, seeing horrific eyes staring out from the trees where Karen disappeared, being dismissed by Otis, and fearing for all their lives, Preston does everything he can to survive.
Convincing Characters Audiences Love and Hate
When it comes to Syfy movies, audiences have grown accustomed to subpar dialogue and awkward acting. However, the character backgrounds and performances in Abominable (2006) disregard those expected surface-level roles for substance and believability. The best example comes from the film’s fully fleshed-out protagonist, Preston Rogers. Not only does he have a uniquely dire backstory audiences can sympathize with, but he also reveals himself to be a true hero they can root for.
The grief of losing his wife and the ability to walk leaves him afraid of life. Despite his fear, he creatively comes up with solutions to protect those around him. After Karen’s disappearance, Preston tries calling and emailing the police several times and flicks the switch on a lamp repeatedly to get the attention of his neighbors after Otis leaves him completely locked inside his home. His actions give viewers a main character they love because of his caring nature and effort, regardless of any physical limitation.
Director Schifrin doesn’t reserve authenticity for the film’s protagonist but also presents supporting characters who possess captivating individuality. The girls next door each have their own distinct qualities and looks that make their group dynamic lifelike, and Otis’s aggressive personality and caretaking profession establish a compelling dissonance that audiences hate and love simultaneously.
Realistic Special Effects
Low-quality CGI is a staple of the Syfy creature feature, but Abominable invests more in classic practical effects instead. Christian Tinsley not only played Otis, but was also the Lead Special Effects Artist for the film. Opting for realism over cheap visuals, he designed the seven-foot-tall creature suit worn by Michael Deak onscreen as well as the perfectly grotesque and inventive death scenes that entertain and shock even the bravest of horror fans. Although Schifrin and his post-production team used some improved CGI effects, they weren’t reliant on them throughout shooting (and viewers can tell).
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The Creature Reveal and Rampage
At the start of the film, Schifrin slowly raises the audience’s anticipation of its monster. There’s a close-call opening scene about a couple on an isolated farm who encounter the creature, and inhuman-sized footprints in the area’s newspaper, and only glimpses of the beast’s presence are shown early on. As a result, initial uneasiness and fear not only affect the characters, but the viewers in tandem, and in small, effective doses. Something terrifying is in the woods, but no one has any idea just how afraid they should be.
As the story continues, increasingly severe remnants of the monster and its violent nature become apparent. Shots of evil, glowing eyes in the trees, hunters being easily pulled into the darkness beyond their campfire, and Karen’s mutilated body reveal an immeasurable strength and brutality. Without fully seeing the creature, but seeing what it’s capable of, viewers’ suspense is raised even further.
When the anticipation finally reaches its peak, Schifrin holds nothing back and the creature doesn’t disappoint. Set on a murderous rampage, audiences get close-up shots of its hideous face and seemingly detachable jaw. There are horrifying scenes of the monstrous beast towering over its victims and sickening visuals of characters being crushed and cars flipped. Oftentimes, monster movies cannot please viewers: showing the villain too early, not well enough, or not at all. However, Abominable (2006) perfectly weaves the fear of the unknown that makes one imagine the worst with the terror of facing a truly nightmarish antagonist.
A Movie Worth Watching and Re-watching
20 years after its release, Abominable shows how a movie that prioritizes good storytelling still holds up decades later. Regardless of the network’s infamous reputation when it comes to monster movies, they aren’t all produced as entertainment to grab when you want to laugh at the screen with friends. Schifrin’s film clearly cares for its characters, its visuals, its monster, and the audience — producing a satisfying watch regardless of how much time has passed.
Abominable (2006) is currently streaming on Peacock.