Dim echoes of David Lynch and early Roman Polanski abound throughout “The Carnivores,” a fitfully fascinating mix of teasing narrative opacity and stylized psycho-thriller atmospherics. The shot-in-Austin indie feature, originally set to premiere at the cancelled SXSW Film Festival, instead had a March 14 unveiling at a private event in the Texas capital city attended, according to a press release, by “the film’s crew, cast, friends & family, and prominent members of the Austin film community.”
Director Caleb Michael Johnson, working from a script he co-wrote with Jeff Bay Smith, walks a tricky tightrope here, and occasionally — especially during his movie’s first act — seems perilously close to toppling into absurdity. Indeed, there are moments when he inadvertently cues memories of the hilarious remark by Janeane Garofalo’s veterinarian talk show host in “The Truth About Cats and Dogs”: “You can love your dog. Just don’t love your dog.
Director Caleb Michael Johnson, working from a script he co-wrote with Jeff Bay Smith, walks a tricky tightrope here, and occasionally — especially during his movie’s first act — seems perilously close to toppling into absurdity. Indeed, there are moments when he inadvertently cues memories of the hilarious remark by Janeane Garofalo’s veterinarian talk show host in “The Truth About Cats and Dogs”: “You can love your dog. Just don’t love your dog.
- 3/15/2020
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
Dennis Hopper movies: 15 greatest films ranked worst to best
- 5/10/2024
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me – What Happened to this Horror Movie?
- 5/8/2024
- by Adam Walton
- JoBlo.com
‘Crow Country’ Masterfully Replicates PS1-Era Survival Horror [Review]
- 5/8/2024
- by Aaron Boehm
- bloody-disgusting.com
“Maybe I did make a pile of sh*t”: Chris Pine Refused to Believe the Brutal Criticism of His Directorial Debut ‘Poolman’
- 5/10/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
Rotten Tomatoes Just Named the Best Movie of All Time: It’s a 27-Year-Old Thriller You Haven’t Seen
- 5/8/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
Poolman review: The walkouts were (mostly) right
- 5/8/2024
- by Emma Keates
- avclub.com
Ben Stiller Signs With WME
- 5/8/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Slow Review: Asexuality Drama Drowns In Naturalism
- 5/3/2024
- by Ethan Vestby
- The Film Stage
‘Boys Go To Jupiter’: Janeane Garofalo Joins Tribeca Bound Animated Feature From Julian Glander
- 4/17/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
‘Fantastic Four’ Casts Ralph Ineson as Galactus (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Bear’ Season 3 Releases Teaser, Premiere Date
- 5/9/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Pam & Tommy’ Stars Sebastian Stan, Lily James Reteam for ‘Let The Evil Go West’ Horror Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Law & Order’ Bidding Farewell to Camryn Manheim
- 5/10/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Frank Grillo Joins ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 as Rick Flag Sr.
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - TV News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Justin and Hailey Bieber Expecting First Child
- 5/9/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Olivia Wilde, Gregg Araki Team On Black Bear Thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tatiana Maslany & Rossif Sutherland To Star In ‘Keeper’, The Next Film From ‘Longlegs’ Director Osgood Perkins; Neon Pre-Buys U.S. Rights & Will Launch Int’l Sales At Cannes
- 5/9/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
MTV Documentary Films Acquires U.S. Rights to Sundance #MeToo Doc ‘Black Box Diaries’ (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety - Film News
Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm to Lead ‘Pike River’ Thriller About New Zealand Mining Disaster, Signature Launching Sales in Cannes (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Sheriff’: Milo Gibson, Mark Dacascos, Tom Berenger & More Cast In Josh Tessier Crime Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Announces 2024 Winners
- 5/10/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Olivia Wilde, Gregg Araki Team On Black Bear Thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Law & Order’ Bidding Farewell to Camryn Manheim
- 5/10/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Bachelor,’ ‘American Idol’ Among Seven Unscripted Renewals at ABC
- 5/10/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Conners’ Renewed for Seventh and Final Season at ABC, ‘Not Dead Yet’ Canceled
- 5/10/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Frank Grillo Joins ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 as Rick Flag Sr.
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - TV News
‘Shogun’ Nears Season 2 Renewal at FX as Star Hiroyuki Sanada Signs Deal to Return
- 5/10/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety - TV News