There are some story ideas so brilliant, so readily waiting to be plucked out of the air, they inevitably result in deep murmurs of “Damn. Why didn’t I think of that?” upon their announcement. The new film ORGAN TRAIL from Paramount Pictures is one of those ideas. Written by Megan Turner and directed by Michael Patrick Jann (DROP DEAD GORGEOUS), ORGAN TRAIL follows a young woman named Abby as her family becomes terrorized and intertwined with a ruthless group of bandits, altering her trajectory and challenging her will to survive.
Proving inspiration can strike any moment, the spark for ORGAN TRAIL came via an innocent typo. While searching out info on the vintage video game THE OREGON TRAIL (I selfishly use the word vintage lightly as a child of the 80s myself), Turner left out the ‘e’ in Oregon, and the outcome sparked a screenplay. A few tweets later, that screenplay made it into the hands of Jann, and the rest is history. While the idea is unarguably clever, one would be wise to check their visions of dysentery, broken wagon wheels and river crossings at the general store door before pushing play.
Coming out of the gate strong, ORGAN TRAIL sets the stage beautifully with breathtaking cinematography, landscape shots, engaging sound design, and quickly established character dynamics. We rapidly discover that Abby (Zoé De Grand Maison) lives alongside her older brother Tobias (Lukas Jann), mother (Lisa LoCicero) and father (Mather Zickel). No longer able to survive and make a go of it at their current location, the family decides to pack up their wagon in search of a better piece of property.
As the family embarks on their journey, the film does a great job of selling the rugged terrain and harsh realities an expedition like this would thrust upon a family. One can practically feel the wind, loneliness, and cold nights surrounding them. While hunting for much-needed food (the last real nod to the game), Tobias and Pa encounter a decimated convoy and a pile of dead bodies. They also find a young woman named Cassidy (Olivia Grace Applegate) affixed to a tree, still alive but just barely. Calling on his hidden medic skills, Pa bandages up Cassidy and brings her back to the family’s camp.
It is here where the film diverges from its original inspirations and strikes out on a journey all its own. Soon, Cassidy is discovered to be nothing but a decoy and a slightly-unwilling member of a brutal band of trail bandits. Abby’s entire family is murdered, and she becomes captured in hopes of indoctrinating her into the gang. With a title like ORGAN TRAIL, one might assume the following events might have something to do with cannabilism, the supernatural, or perhaps even a creature feature. However, the film delivers on none of these things. More of a survival Western with hints of horror than a straight horror-Western, tempered expectations will benefit initial viewings.
Despite the slightly misleading title, ORGAN TRAIL does boast some pretty intense moments of gore, violence and quality practical effects. Some of these succeed in mere execution, while others shine due to sheer shock factor. Although some feel slightly out of step from the rest of the film’s tone, these moments will appeal to any horror fan and inject energy into the film that assists with pacing and engagement. They also underscore the sheer brutality that life during this time, in this location, could bring.
Supporting these moments is the film’s cast of unique characters. Zoé De Grand Maison, as young Abby, anchors the heart of the movie as we follow her heartbreaking and empowering journey of acceptance and gritty self-reliance. As the kind-hearted homesteader Erik, Clé Bennett offers a ray of hope, and his endearing performance shines, despite his late entrance into the narrative. Countering this, Nicholas Logan and Sam Trammell effectively embody menace as Rhys and Logan, respectively. Though quite different in their methods of terror and cruelty, both succeed as despicable, worthy opponents and imposing threats.
Another high point comes from ORGAN TRAIL’s stunning score by Jherek Bischoff and Craig Wedren (co-composer for YELLOWJACKETS). A notably unique duo, Bischoff’s track record of crafting powerfully evocative soundscapes pairs nicely with Wedren’s hefty cinematic experience and tonal sensibility. Neither afraid to push boundaries or explore and experiment with sound, the result summons memories of civility while capturing the land’s haunting, terrifying vastness. Simultaneously perfectly period, rich, fresh and modern, Bischoff and Wedren easily walk this tricky line.
Ultimately, ORGAN TRAIL’s worst enemy is the title itself. Though this trail is certainly not for the weak, a title like HOME ON THE DERANGED, LITTLE REVENGE ON THE PRAIRIE, BANDIT PASSAGE, or something less innard-related may have proven a better fit. However, if one can set aside any preconceived notions, ORGAN TRAIL will be an expedition worth embarking on. Abby’s feisty resilience transcends her 1870s time period and reinforces the timeless truth that, now and forever, our fellow humans are our biggest asset and most potent threat.
ORGAN TRAIL is now available from Paramount Pictures on VOD.
Tags: Clé Bennett, Craig Wedren, Drama, Horror, Jherek Bischoff, Lisa LoCicero, Lukas Jann, Mather Zickel, Michael Patrick Jann, Olivia Applegate, Sam Trammell, Thomas Lennon, Thriller, Westerns, Zoé De Grand Maison
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