Creature features have been steadily rising in popularity over the last few years. From sharks and crocodiles to the many versions of Godzilla we’ve seen, the trend has largely leaned toward cold-blooded, reptilian villains.
But lately, I’ve noticed an uptick in bear-centric creature features, which range from dramatic to downright absurd. And when I stumbled upon Claws (Móng Vuot) – a Vietnamese-produced creature feature on Netflix – I knew I had to dive in.
Seeing a creature feature set within a Southeast Asian context? Count me in.
The premise of Claws is deceptively simple: a group of seven friends heads out for a fun camping trip deep in the forest, hoping to “save” their friendship during their shared birthday month.
However, things take a terrifying turn when they encounter a deadly wild bear, described as an “assassin” in the forest, ruthlessly hunting any target in its path.
I went in expecting something light and perhaps irreverent, having mistaken one of the tags for dark comedy. But what I didn’t expect was to feel my heart break for these friends, who were just trying to rekindle their bond but found themselves at the mercy of a relentless predator.
Their fun-filled escape turns into a tragic, heart-pounding fight for survival – making Claws far more than just another creature feature.
The movie kicks off with the group driving through the jungle in a decked-out caravan, heading into a national park.
It’s their annual friends’ getaway, and this year it’s perpetually single Son’s turn to choose the activity. His pick? Camping at a breath taking cliffside spot with a view that promises to be as awe-inspiring as the trip itself.
As they drive, we’re introduced to the whole squad. There’s Nhan, the brainy, quasi-leader of the group, and his latest girlfriend, Mee. Then we have Hoang and Ha, a couple eager to start a family, followed by Minh and Tran, who have the most complicated dynamic – friends turned lovers, turned exes, turned… friends again?
It’s the relationships within this group that truly drive the movie forward. The way they express their bonds amid the rising terror is what kept me hooked. Each dynamic brings its own flavour to the story.
Take Nhan, for instance. While he’s the “smart one”, he’s also a womaniser. Mee, his latest fling, is young and naïve, making the rest of the group care for her like a sister, even as they watch Nhan’s all-too-familiar pattern unfold.
Then there’s Hoang and Ha. Hoang’s eagerness to become a father borders on obsession, to the point where he doesn’t seem to notice that Ha may not share his level of enthusiasm for the idea.
And finally, there’s Minh and Thang. Though they’ve remained friends, there’s a palpable tension between them, hinting that their breakup wasn’t entirely amicable, perhaps driven by life’s unkind twists.
The depth of these character relationships gives Claws its emotional weight. While the bear might be the immediate danger, it’s the human connections that feel well fleshed out and, in many ways, just as precarious.
Speaking of the bear, I have to be honest: the special effects didn’t quite hit the mark. They lack the realism that can heighten the fear factor, making the bear’s appearance less terrifying than it could have been. However, what the bear lacks in visual finesse, it makes up for with its sheer relentlessness.
As the friends set up their camp and enjoy the sunset, their jovial bonding contrasts sharply with the sinister events unfolding elsewhere in the park.
In another part of the forest, there are poachers running a dangerous operation which is closely tied to the rampaging bear that will soon disrupt their peaceful retreat.
The pacing of Claws is decent, with a runtime of 96 minutes making it an easy watch.
However, once the chaos starts, it’s anything but relaxing. I found myself on the edge of my seat, especially since I had initially thought this was a dark comedy.
When things took a literal and figurative turn for the darker – because the action kicks off at night and the friends are forced to fight tooth and nail to survive – it really got my blood pumping.
At least a third of the movie is dedicated to exploring the warm, intricate dynamics of this friend group. So, you can imagine my reaction when one of them meets a grim fate. The emotional impact was palpable – definitely a case of “emotional damage” for me.
That being said, Claws is essentially a B-movie style creature flick. It doesn’t quite embrace the cheesy humour that often characterises the genre, which might be a turn-off for some viewers.
However, despite its flaws, the film has a certain heart to it. For me, approaching it with no expectations allowed me to appreciate its earnest attempt at creating tension and emotional depth.
So, if you’re up for a creature feature that defies typical expectations and offers a mix of emotional drama and survival thrills, give Claws a shot. – Wardi Wasil
