With a title like The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot, you think you know what you’re getting. You think this is going to be schlocky b-movie fare, but what the film actually does is take the extreme ideas of assassinating Hitler, and killing Bigfoot and juxtapose them with a character study of a man attempting to reconcile the actions of his life, and the fact that he has killed.

Sam Elliott and Aidan Turner play Calvin Barr as the narrative moves back and forth in time. In the present Barr (Elliott) is recalling his past (played by Turner) and his involvement in a secret mission to kill the Fuhrer. It shows the loss and the trauma Barr went through in serving his country and that it cost him the love of his life, Maxine (Caitlin FitzGerald).

In the here and now, Barr struggles with his relationship with his younger brother, Ed (Larry Miller) and finds himself being canvassed by the American and Canadian governments. It seems someone has learned of Barr’s previous actions, and needs a tracker with his skill.

Why?

Because a Bigfoot is ill and is ramping up its attacks on people and livestock, which may release a virulent epidemic on humanity, and possibly wipe it out. The clock is ticking and they want Barr to go into the dead zone they have marked off and put the creature down.

Despite the odd plot, the narrative never really shakes loose of the fact that it is a gorgeously shot character study, and both Elliott and Turner bring their A-game. Honestly, I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this one. I didn’t go in expecting a big monster hunt, I wanted to see Elliott and Turner deliver performances, and that’s what I got, the narrative trappings are simply there for the character arcs.

The film looks gorgeous there is some solid visual effects work done by the legendary Douglas Trumbull, and the photography is often lush and stunning.

As the film comes to its closing moments, Krzykowski who served as writer as well as director, leaves a few things open to interpretation by the audience, things that have started a number of conversations, and reflects what you as a viewer bring to the experience.

The Bigfoot design is interesting, but doesn’t really add anything to the story. It’s all about watching Elliott and Turner, and they are completely captivating in the role, and I quite enjoy how they feel like the same character in their performances.

Don’t be put off by the title, this one is actually really cool.