THE YETI (2026)

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Gene Gallerano, William Pisciotta
Cast: Brittany Allen, Jim Cummings, Christina Bennett Lind, Linc Hand, Elizabeth Cappuccino, Heather Lind, Gene Gallerano, Eric Nelsen, Corbin Bernsen, William Sadler
Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins
Rating: M18 (Violence and Gore)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 4 June 2026

Synopsis: Merriell Sunday Sr. and Hollis Bannister vanished in Alaska. Ellie and Merriell Jr. mount a search, but an ancient threat stalks their expedition into the wilderness, hunting them as they seek the truth behind the disappearances.

Movie Review:

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by sharks, Godzilla, and dinosaurs, it is refreshing to see a horror thriller centred on the infamous ape-like creature known as the Yeti. Unfortunately, there is little else to celebrate in this monster feature written and directed by Gene Gallerano and William Pisciotta.

The story follows an oil tycoon and his team who mysteriously disappear during an expedition in the Alaskan wilderness. In response, the tycoon’s son, Merriell Sunday Jr. (Eric Nelsen), assembles a group of specialists to search for the missing party. The team includes cartographer Ellie (Brittany Allen), whose father is also among the missing, radio operator Booker (Jim Cummings), veterinarian Marianne (Heather Lind), hired gun Coates (Linc Hand), and explosives expert Dan (Gene Gallerano). Together, they venture deep into Alaska in hopes of uncovering the truth.

You do not need to be a film expert to predict what happens to the group. Still, this is a creature feature made on a minuscule budget, so expectations should be adjusted accordingly. Even then, the story feels underdeveloped, while the characters fare even worse.

Sadly, with the exception of Ellie, the audience learns very little about the team before they are predictably picked off by the mysterious giant creature. Ellie at least has a proper backstory and a compelling reason to join the ill-fated mission. She hopes to follow in her legendary father’s footsteps despite being limited by a leg condition. Brittany Allen is given the opportunity to bring some emotional depth to the role, something largely absent from the performances of her co-stars. Veteran actor William Sadler appears briefly as Ellie’s father, lending some much-needed gravitas to the production.

At the end of the day, audiences are here for the creature. The human characters are merely part of the package. Due to budget limitations, the Yeti appears sparingly, often hidden in silhouettes, much like what Steven Spielberg famously did with the shark in Jaws. However, not everyone can replicate Spielberg’s mastery of suspense. To compensate for the lack of tension and action, Gallerano and Pisciotta rely heavily on gore and carnage, featuring torn limbs and mutilated torsos in generous amounts. Unfortunately, the pacing remains sluggish, and none of the characters are engaging enough to sustain interest. As a result, viewers may find themselves checking the time while waiting for the next gruesome kill.

The film’s sole highlight is its practical creature effects. The Yeti itself resembles something out of a classic Rick Baker creation, complete with a massive hairy frame and oversized hands. There is also a slight surprise toward the end, although it receives very little screen time. Despite the filmmakers’ efforts to give the movie a vintage creature-feature feel, it never escapes the obvious impression of being shot on a soundstage.

With a stronger script and a larger budget, The Yeti might have delivered a far more rewarding experience. As it stands, the finished product is simply a B-movie that sounds exciting on paper but fails to deliver in almost every aspect.

Movie Rating:

(All talk and more talk while the Yeti roars and bites occasionally)

Review by Linus Tee