Cryptid: The Swamp Beast (2014– ) User Reviews

It's a brilliant faux-docu drama

[generic230-1 · 7/10 · 18 March 2014]

Seriously, when I found out this was scripted and ACTED, the show just got better to me. The performances of the real people are so beautifully done, shot, edited, and then, tied in with the actors whose performances are so good, it made me not even question this was fake documentary for a couple episodes.

But, when I found out it was, I just loved it more. The whole show is acted, shot and edited with such care and realism, it's brilliant. This could EASILY be a one hour supernatural drama and I would watch it.

I just wish that the History channel would embrace that it's a SHOW, and let whoever writes and produces this run with it. List the cast, the writers, producers, and stop shying away from what it is.

Might be a spoiler

[mitchryder1953 · 7/10 · 12 March 2014]

I like the show even though its not real, it even says that before the show even starts that this is a "Dramatization" and beside how scary can it be if you have a camera crew following the actors around? but the show keeps moving and has a lot more going for it than "Monster Quest", or "Finding Bigfoot" which they NEVER find anyway, this tells you right off what it is and yes its scripted, but the actors keep it real and intense and yes its a interesting show to watch. I like it, but I watch "NOT Finding Bigfoot" too. Because you know yourself if they would find this creature it would be on all the news reports. So just watch it for the fun and the acting and look at it like that and its a good show.

Mocumentary........

[davidjskeen-53445 · 7/10 · 18 April 2021]

This will sound strange but the acting is just to good. If it was a documentary the people would be much more stoic, these are to well rehearsed. Just take it for what it is "a wind up".

An enjoyable mockumentary that doesn't pretend to be more than it is

[nick-demao · 9/10 · 2 April 2014]

To preface my review I should note that I'm a huge fan of all things cryptozoological: Bigfoot, Loch Ness, Jersey Devil, Mothman, Lizardman, etc., so it's easy to understand my excitement when History Channel was producing a show that followed a relatively unknown beast in the Rougarou.

I approached the episode curious but cautious. I wasn't sure if it was real; however, soon enough my suspicions of it being a mockumentary were founded. This, surprisingly, did not deter from my overall viewing experience. In fact, I'd say it embellished it. Bear with me.

History Channel gets a ton of flak for its rather derivative programming that has taken a noticeable nosedive in the past decade. I thought Cryptid was a step in the right direction. Once you realize it's a mockumentary you begin to appreciate it for what it really is: a fascinating educational history of both Louisiana culture and mythos wrapped around an intriguing storyline that sets up each piece of knowledge quite well. With each plot point there's a parallel piece of history and mythos regarding the Rougarou. This is all set up organically within the confines of the story and isn't shoehorned into the plot just to make a few extracurricular points. This organic pacing coupled with apropos asides made for a fascinating mini-series.

I compare it to Animal Planet's Lost Tapes which had a similar premise. For those unfamiliar, Lost Tapes was a 30-minute "found footage" show that often had some poor sap (or saps) getting lost or stranded far from home and unceremoniously tracked down by some creature. One episode was Bigfoot. Another the Kraken. The Chupacabra was tossed in as well for good measure. The problem with this show, in my opinion, was two fold. It wasn't a sustainable premise (after all how many really fascinating cryptos are there before you start scraping the bottom of the barrel?) and secondly it seemed to focus more on the fake story than the myth behind the being. This handcuffed the overall experience in my opinion but still left a rather entertaining product.

I felt Cryptid blew it out of the water in both style and substance. The acting in Cryptid is top notch in my opinion. The ensemble won't win Emmys but they had me convinced that they were living in the moment and not just reading lines to cash a paycheck. They approached the story with a serious tone and I think that laid the groundwork for a compelling 6-part series that stayed interesting throughout.

I've seen my fair share of reviews lambaste the show solely because it was fake, much like the Megaladon nonsense that aired months ago prior Shark Week. I think this is a poor comparison. If I were to compare it to anything of equal value I'd point to the Norwegian film "Trollhunter". I can understand the frustration with being 'duped', but I hardly think that devalues the show in any way. I'd rather have six episodes of a scripted piece with an eventual payoff then something like any of the millions of Bigfoot expeditions where they go into the woods for a weekend and find absolutely nothing but random animal recordings.

I thoroughly (and surprisingly) enjoyed Cryptid and hope the History Channel continues to produce similar series in the same vein.

A Valiant Effort, But. . .

[theSquirmingcoil · 2/10 · 10 March 2014]

OK, OK, OK, I understand! You just want to believe soo bad that of course you're going to give a History Channel show (a MAK Pictures production) a chance, right? Discovery Networks has tried this before with "Mermaid: The Body Found", and I'll admit astonishingly had some success.

Well here we go again with Cryptid: The Swamp Beast. I gotta say, a lot of people are going to believe this production, and even in it's complete ridiculousness more will tune in to watch it. Within 3 minutes of tonight's airing, I heard the following 'buzz'words: Indian graveyard, killer, murderer, black magic, dark spirits, voodoo, zombies, shape-shifters, the ?aroogaroo? and more I cant remember.

The acting is bad (which I guess is supposed to lend credence?) but the photography, even in scenes they couldn't possibly get 5 perfect perspectives for a spontaneous event, is always a nice production quality.

I guess I gave this two stars for withholding cast & crew credits and trying to build up a believable back-story for the Cagin Beasts (Check out their fake website for their company, with no contact info (because they're filming, they say. . .right). No other real-life company removes contact info because of filming, and you don't film 24/7. . . I can't post a url here but it's Cagin Beasts without the space, and you can figure out what goes before after that). They've put a little effort into making it appear real so I guess they deserve some credit.

If you believe or want to believe in silly monsters, check it out!

Scrypted...

[poe426 · 10/10 · 4 April 2014]

The Hysteria Channel (once known as The History Channel, before it started concocting "history" of its own) has gone and done it this time: they've given us "dramatizations" and "reenactments" that add up- in this case- to a VERY watchable "s/he said" mockumentary. I wholeheartedly agree with the reviewer who likened it to the LOST TAPES show done a few years back by The Animal Planet; both shows use(d) the BLAIR WITCH PROJECT "found footage" approach to good effect. From the 1938 radio broadcast of WAR OF THE WORLDS to THE ALIEN AUTOPSY video, it's all good. (One can almost see an upcoming Halloween broadcast on The Hystory Channel about an alien invasion of a small backwater town- told, of course, "through dramatizations and reenactments," and based on "eyewitness accounts.") If I have one complaint, it's that these shows aren't being aired where they rightfully belong- on The SyFy Channel.

Awww it's fake 👎🏻

[crankywitch · 2/10 · 17 February 2021]

Just stumbled across this show and first episode I was like oohhh😳 cool.... then I found out it was all fake. 👎🏻 Boo!

This is one of the best fake docs I have seen

[dogwalker-23336 · 10/10 · 17 July 2022]

Well directed. There's a cohesive script. The local actors are convincing. The scenes with the actors are interspersed with real person interviews. Jami "Captain One Eye" Burns is one of the highlights. The history of the Rougarou and the various interpretations of the monster is informative. Entertaining and fun.

Rubbish

[mandyburns-89876 · 1/10 · 25 November 2019]

So angry to realise this is not a genuine investigation,what a waste of time,if I want to watch a mockumentary I want to know from the beginning,so annoyed won't be watching this channel again

Not my cup of tea

[richardtfosteriii · 3/10 · 17 September 2018]

So see this flipping channels thought it was a real csi investigation at first... after watching for 5 mins realized it's a bunch of poor acting and terriable story line. Sorry but I'll keep flipping channels. Oh also it mocks voodoo and almost makes fun of folk lore.

Wierd

[beachlovingcas · 3/10 · 5 February 2023]

I enjoy watching real documentaries and I was under the impression the Story channel had real stories. I was a bit intrigued but quickly realized this certainly is not true. I did not find anything about this realistic. The storyline, the bad acting was all just plain awful. LOL I can understand the interest in making folklore come to life, but the channel should be one that is not expected to be legitimate. What channel is used for bigfoot expeditions? Seems like a more appropriate channel. Maybe Scify. Maybe done in a different manner would make it a better fit for the Story channel, but not done with ridiculous storyline and horrible acting. Please!! I will not trust this channel again...

Aweful!

[chickiegma · 3/10 · 17 July 2022]

I usually love these kind of shows but after watching a marathon of this show, there is so much chaos and you never see anything. Seems more like a really bad soap opera.