It’s rare that a movie as novel as Lake Michigan Monster is consistently amusing all the way through. While it’s often a joy to see the pure inventiveness of movies created by filmmakers with a microbudget and a story to tell, some solutions tend to be more successful than others. Lake Michigan Monster is an exception. An enjoyably preposterous story that becomes more absurd as it goes along, the movie nonetheless maintains a delightful sense of whimsy from start to finish of its slim 78-minute runtime.
The movie begins with a simple premise: Captain Seafield (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who also wrote and directed) enlists a team of specialists to find and destroy the sea monster that killed his father during a boating trip on Lake Michigan. There’s weapons expert Sean Shaughnessy (Erick West), sonar individual Nedge Pepsi (Beulah Peters) and former N.A.V.Y. (Nautical Athletes and Venture Yunit) officer Dick Flynn (Daniel Long). Together, the ragtag crew make a series of increasingly outlandish attempts to lure and take out the creature, until tragedy strikes, and Captain Seafield is forced to go it alone. Seafield’s dogged pursuit of revenge leads him to bizarre, often nonsensical, but always funny places.
While Lake Michigan Monster draws inspiration from everything from Creature From the Black Lagoon to The Seventh Seal by way of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, the movie has its own irreverent, self-aware tone. It's a cockeyed, free-wheeling spin on monster movies, while going beyond that, too. Its odd illogic, unexpected moments of clarity and funny dialogue, complete with wacky asides, keep the plot bouncing along at a brisk pace. Yet even as it becomes more and more surreal, the movie’s jovial tone makes it consistently fun and engaging.
It also boasts a uniquely conceived black-and-white visual style that’s an important part of the pleasure of watching the film and a perfect match for its zany story. This look includes old-timey title cards, quick-cuts, animation and jerky, scratched film. The sets, props and costumes add to the effect, enhancing the distinctive visuals, with the various elements working together to create the feeling of witnessing a fever-dream. And wait until you get a load of the monster, which comes across surprisingly well even within the constraints of the film’s low budget -- something that can also be said for the film’s effects in general.
Of course, a film this trippy wouldn’t work without actors who were fully committed to their roles, and Lake Michigan Monster boasts an ace cast. Wayne Tews as Seafield’s brother Ashcroft is especially good as a land-bound, painting pirate. But ultimately, the movie rests on Ryland Tews' shoulders, and his performance as Captain Seafield is go-for-broke hilarious. Even in his character's sad, frustrated or earnest moments, Tews maintains Seafield's eccentricity, making him fascinating to watch.
Lake Michigan Monster premiered back in 2018 at the Milwaukee Film Festival and has racked up multiple film festival wins since. Now that it’s finally available on VOD, it’s absolutely worth seeking out. The movie has the idiosyncratic tone and look of a cult classic in the making, managing to be broad and specific at the same time. Ultimately, this film is pure entertainment -- an agreeably weird experience that will keep you diverted and put a smile on your face.
Lake Michigan Monster is written, directed and stars Ryland Brickson Cole Tews and co-stars Erick West, Beulah Peters, Daniel Long and Wayne Tews. It is currently available to stream on the Arrow Video Channel, which can be accessed on Apple TV in the UK and US and on Amazon in the UK.