The Canadian psychological horror film Ancestral Beasts has revealed its lead cast ahead of its debut at the Cannes Frontières program during the Marché du Film in May. The film stars Darla Contois, Morgan Holmstrom, and Asivak Koostachin. A key male role is still to be cast, with reports suggesting that a prominent non-Indigenous actor over 55 will fill the part.
Contois, fresh off her Canadian Screen Award win for Little Bird, joins Holmstrom, known for The Order and Day of the Dead, and Koostachin, who starred in Portraits from a Fire. The film’s director, Tim Riedel, draws from his own life for the story, which explores the manifestation of mental health trauma in a physical form.
Set in the rural landscape of Canada, Ancestral Beasts follows a woman seeking mental health recovery after leaving a toxic relationship with her sister. Her journey is disrupted when a sinister presence begins to emerge, forcing her to confront her family’s history of trauma and fight for her own well-being.
Riedel, whose background lies in documentary filmmaking, brings a deeply personal perspective to the project. The story draws from his experience as the child of a woman affected by the 60s Scoop, a dark chapter in Canadian history, and later diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. To ensure authenticity, Riedel worked with Elders, cultural advisors, and Indigenous psychologists during the script development.
The film’s exploration of intergenerational trauma is woven into its horror narrative, aiming not just to terrify but to foster empathy and understanding. Riedel sees the genre as a powerful tool to express complex emotions and convey the intensity of his childhood experiences.
Ancestral Beasts is nearing the final stages of development, with plans to close financing by summer 2025 and begin filming in the fall. Multiple Canadian distributors have shown interest, and international sales talks are progressing as the film prepares for its public debut.
