This was a documentary that I decided to check out while I was working. I treated it like a podcast where I put it on while doing paperwork where I'd listen to the information provided and look down if something interesting happened. This is a cryptid or unexplained phenomena that I wasn't familiar with. It is also the next documentary from Seth Breedlove and the Small Town Monsters crew that I hadn't seen yet.
We start this out by hooking our attention learning about how in Braxton County, West Virginia, there is this creature that the locals have seen. It is now a local folk tale that is passed down through the generations, changing as it gets told. There are similarities to the nearby Mothman legend. It does predate it though and the incident with the Silver Bridge. I'll also include here that this is located in almost the dead center of West Virginia.
Now that I have that set up, the story here is that people in this area saw flying saucers. I do like the fact that the documentary includes that the sightings started during the heyday when people all over the country were claiming to see UFOs. It does make me wonder if people were just caught up in the craze or did they actually see something? Since I can't disprove anything, I'll leave my thoughts there. They could have or just seen something more natural that they don't have a logical explanation for. What doesn't help is that each story differs slightly from the next. That doesn't mean they aren't true and fear can play with memory. Just something that I felt important to include.
What I will say here is that this story has more staying power than others. The Flatwoods Monster has bled into popular culture where there are toys and even video games. What is wild there is that it is from people who aren't even connected to the area. It does make me wonder if Final Fantasy VIII used this for a side quest where you meet an alien. That lasting legacy is something I'm glad they included.
To then end this out, I do think that this is made well enough. The cinematography and framing of things were good. I do like the animated/CG look of this creature was a good touch. That breaks up just seeing people be interviewed. This does well in setting the stage. I do think that this one feels rushed. There is less information provided and I don't know if that was due to not having enough information. This one just falls short of others that I've seen by this director and team. Still interesting enough.
My Rating: 5.5 out of 10.
