'Beware Boiúna' Review
Release Date: 10/02/26 [Cinemas]
Genre: Action. Horror. Thriller.
MPAA: Rated R.
Distributor: Lionsgate.
Seen for Fantastic Fest 2026.
The Verdict: A Maybe
Based on the Brazilian mythological creature, Mike P. Nelson’s Beware Boiúna brings every ophidiophobe’s worst fear to life. After a group of medical professionals heads to the Amazon River to help those living nearby, one unfortunate incident leaves them on the run with limited fuel and a creature stirring below.
Wrong Turn and Silent Night, Deadly Night filmmaker Mike P. Nelson knows how to defy expectations, and he does it here by creating most of the terrifying serpent practically. Shot in the Amazon Rainforest, the film puts the true nature of the situation on full display. It’s daunting, haunting, and incredibly threatening even to consider what lurks in the unknown depths of both the river and forest, not to mention the beast the film revolves around.
Beware Boiúna is a hyped up creature feature with some killer brutality once the snake begins stalking its prey. With a minimal cast of 11, the question becomes how many Boiúna will kill and how many it will let live. There’s no clear pattern to how it attacks, which may be the fault of this particular viewer for not realizing there was one.
There are some horrifying shots of this gigantic snake in the water, or the iconic trailer/poster moment of it behind the lead in the mud. Sometimes less is more, as when the snake is fully on display, especially in a rather thrilling “get away from her, you bitch!” moment, the digital representation of the fierce villain lacks an authentic fright. There are some surprising kills, but given the monstrosity of the threat, the film shows little gore on screen.
But with legendary horror icon Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day, River), Kiana Madeira (Fear Street trilogy), and Logan Marshall Green (Upgrade, Devil) at the center of the film, the film has a grand trio to enjoy the carnival ride of terror with, even if the scares may be a tad uneven in their construction. Nonetheless, the decision to film this on location and use mostly practical sssssspecial effects creates a modern B-movie rival worthy of going up against 1997's Anaconda.
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