The world of the paranormal and the supernatural is an unusual one. There are many things in this world that we don't have explanations for, things that confuse, fascinate, and frighten us. Over the course of history there were more things that fell into the realm of the supernatural, but that expanding knowledge of the world and science has allowed us to figure out and explain away. Thunder isn't a sign that the gods are angry at us, it's rapidly expanding air. And whilst there are many things that I'm sure we will eventually be able to explain away with science on day there are certain things that feel harder to understand for me; and Skinwalkers are definitely in this category.
The Skinwalkers: American Werewolves 2 is a new documentary film that aims to shine a light on the personal experiences of several people who have had encounters with beings or creatures that they believe are Skinwalkers. The documentary gives us the briefest of information on Skinwalkers, telling viewers that they're people who have the ability to change into a variety of animals, including wolves, dogs, and elks, as well as people. This is done via a ritual where they have to kill the person who means the most to them, or because of a curse from a shaman. The reasons for Skinwalkers existing is unclear in the film, and we're given various theories as to how based mostly on myths and stories passed down over the years.
Sadly, this is about as much that we get in terms of research or scientific presentation in the film. For those who have experience watching TV and movies that deal with the paranormal and the unusual there are things that feel common to the genre, such as going out to remote locations, looking for clues, using devices to try and record evidence. Even those who don't believe in the paranormal at all will have becomes so used to this that even if they can't name an EMF meter they know that ghost hunters carry around electronic devices when on the lookout for ghosts. This film has none of this.
Instead of seeing a documentary team or a group of investigators heading out into the wilderness to try and find some kind of physical evidence of Skinwalkers (footprints, fur, or even a blurry photo of something in the distance) we get a series of talking heads. The film sits down with people with personal accounts with Skinwalkers and has them recount their tales.
These stories are intercut with video of locations around New Mexico, and shots of people in werewolf suits acting scary. There is a distinct lack of evidence of any kind, with only one of these stories including blurry home security camera footage of what they claim to be a spirit dog. For those looking for some kind of evidence, some kind of physical proof or artefact that they can latch onto as proof that this urban legend might hold some weight will likely be disappointed.
However, most of the stories collected come from members of the native peoples who call New Mexico home, the people who grew up with stories of Skinwalkers, shamans, and magic. Some of them even talk about having shamans in their families, and how they grew up with these beliefs. It makes the stories they tell feel a little different from most personal paranormal accounts you hears. This isn't just a person claiming they ran into Bigfoot whilst out hunting, or who says a cowboy haunts their local bar. These are people sharing stories that tie directly into their heritage and culture, a culture that has been oppressed and almost wiped out by colonial settlers. It makes dismissing these stories out of hand feel wrong, and almost makes you feel like doing so would in some way add to the cultural oppression these people have faced.
It does raise interesting questions though, of whether the people spoken to in this film have had Skinwalker encounters because Skinwalkers are connected to their people and their cultures, and are tied to the region in which their tribes were forced to make their homes, or if they have these encounters because they grew up with these stories and the idea of Skinwalkers became engrained in them. The question of whether it's something that is drawn to them because of who they are, or if it happens to them because of their own beliefs is perhaps the most interesting part of The Skinwalkers: American Werewolves 2; though mainly because the film doesn't really present you with anything else.
Perhaps the biggest mistake that The Skinwalkers: American Werewolves 2 makes is that it seems to spend much of its runtime playing it safe. It doesn't try to come down on one side or another. It's not trying to find any evidence or corroboration for the stories it's presenting to try and prove them true. Nor does it offer any other kind of explanation or proof for why it can't be real. Instead, it gives you these people's stories, some basic facts that are presented as text on the screen, and leaves it at that. The lack of anything else, even an engaging narrator, leave the whole thing feeling a little lacklustre.
People tend to come to films like this to either be presented with evidence that supports their views and proves their beliefs right, or to be entertained by what they see as the ridiculous. This film does neither, and because of that I'm not entirely sure who the film is really for, and who will find it anything more than mildly interesting at best. The truth might be out there, but this film doesn't try to find it for you.
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