Ancestral Beasts
directed by
Tim Riedel
Toronto Premiere
After a breakdown, a Red River Métis woman retreats to her ancestral home to rebuild her life, only to confront a grotesque creature manifesting beneath the floors. As her toxic sister threatens her recovery, she must hold herself accountable for her darkness before it consumes everyone in its path.
Programmer's Notes
A troubled Mètis woman returns to her ancestral home seeking sanctuary from her self-inflicted life troubles, only to uncover a terrifying creature she must battle before it kills her and everyone she loves.
Elyse (Morgan Holmstrom) has struggled with her mental health most of her life. As she embarks on a fresh start, she experiences terrifying visions that leave her questioning her reality. When a series of brutal attacks unfolds, Elyse finds herself pushed to the limit. Soon, Elyse must face the possibility that the creature haunting her may be closer to home than she ever imagined.
Ancestral Beats is rooted in director Tim Riedel's own experience as the son of a Sixties Scoop survivor who lived with Borderline Personality Disorder. That deeply personal connection infuses the film's monster mythology with a much more psychological complexity than conventional creature features. Riedel conjures a nightmarish family horror where the supernatural element is matched by a deeply human fear: what if the monster you're running from is already inside you?
About the Director
Tim Riedel is a Red River Métis filmmaker from Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba, whose works include the award-winning 2019 film Jackstones and the psychological horror Ancestral Beasts, selected for the Frontières platform at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival's Marché du Film and premiered at the 30th Fantasia Festival.
Cast
Morgan Holmstrom, Darla Contois, Asivak Koostachin
Running Time
1:44:00
Language
English
Country
Canada
Producers
Tim Riedel, Fawnda Neckoway, Tina Keeper
Province
Manitoba
