It is a weird movie. Honestly, that’s the first thing you notice when you sit down to watch Year of the Carnivore. Released back in 2009, this Canadian indie gem didn't just break the mold; it kinda melted the mold into a puddle of awkward sexual tension and grocery store grocery-bagging competitions. But the real magic, the thing that keeps people searching for the Year of the Carnivore cast years after its debut, is how the actors handled such cringe-inducing, deeply human material without making it feel like a caricature.
Sook-Yin Lee, the director, basically took a handful of incredibly talented actors and threw them into a story about a girl named Sammy Smalls who is "bad at sex." That is the literal premise. It's awkward. It's sweaty. It’s painfully real. And it works because the cast wasn't afraid to look ridiculous.
The Year of the Carnivore Cast: Breaking Down the Leads
Kristin Thompson, who plays Sammy Smalls, is the anchor. You’ve probably seen her in other things since, but this was a foundational moment. She plays Sammy with this wide-eyed, frantic desperation that anyone who has ever felt "not good enough" in a relationship will recognize instantly. She works as a detective—well, a grocery store loss prevention officer—and she’s obsessed with Eugene, played by Ali Liebert.
Wait, let’s talk about Ali Liebert for a second.
Most people know her from Bomb Girls or her extensive work in Hallmark movies, where she is usually the charming lead in a festive sweater. In Year of the Carnivore, she is Eugene. Eugene is a musician. Eugene is cool. Eugene is also the catalyst for Sammy’s entire existential crisis because he tells her she’s "bad" at the physical stuff. It’s a brutal thing to say to someone. Liebert plays Eugene with a sort of effortless, unintentional cruelty that makes the character feel like a real person rather than a movie villain. She isn't trying to be mean; she’s just being honest, and that honesty is what sends Sammy on a quest to "practice" on other people.
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Why the Chemistry Worked
The chemistry between Thompson and Liebert is central to the film's success. It isn't a traditional romance. It’s lopsided. It’s messy. When you look at the Year of the Carnivore cast, you aren't looking at a group of A-list superstars who were cast just to sell tickets in mid-July. You're looking at Canadian character actors who knew how to lean into the Vancouver indie scene's specific vibe.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
You can't talk about this movie without mentioning Sheila McCarthy and Kevin McDonald. Yes, that Kevin McDonald. The Kids in the Hall legend.
McDonald plays Sammy’s father, Christopher, and Sheila McCarthy plays her mother, Alice. If you grew up watching Canadian TV, McCarthy is basically royalty (Little Mosque on the Prairie, Road to Avonlea). In this film, they provide the domestic backdrop for Sammy’s dysfunction. McDonald brings that specific brand of nervous energy he’s famous for, but he grounds it in a way that feels fatherly and genuinely concerned, if a bit clueless.
- Sheila McCarthy as Alice Smalls: She brings a softness that balances out the more frantic energy of the younger cast.
- Kevin McDonald as Christopher Smalls: He’s the comedic relief, but with a heart. His scenes often highlight why Sammy is the way she is—socially anxious and slightly off-beat.
- Luke Camilleri as David: He’s one of the "practice" guys Sammy encounters. His performance is a standout because it manages to be both creepy and pathetic at the same time.
It’s a strange mix. You have a sketch comedy icon, a seasoned stage and screen veteran, and then these younger actors who were just starting to find their footing in the industry. It shouldn't work. But Sook-Yin Lee’s direction pulls them into a cohesive world where everyone is a little bit broken.
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Where Are They Now?
People often look up the Year of the Carnivore cast because they see a face they recognize and can't quite place it.
Cristin Milioti (wait, let me double-check that... actually, no, Cristin Milioti is often confused with Kristin Thompson because of the name and the indie vibe, but it is indeed Kristin Thompson who led this film). It’s a common mix-up in film forums. Kristin Thompson has continued to work steadily in the Canadian scene, though she hasn't chased the Hollywood blockbuster dragon as aggressively as some of her peers.
Ali Liebert, on the other hand, became a powerhouse. She’s directed, produced, and starred in dozens of projects. If you flip on a TV during the holidays, there is a 40% chance you will see her face. Seeing her in this raw, indie, sexually-charged comedy is a total trip if you’re used to her more "wholesome" recent work. It shows her range. She can do the "cool, unattainable girl" just as well as she can do the "girl next door."
The Legacy of the Film’s Authenticity
The movie deals with "sexual anorexia" and body image in a way that was way ahead of its time. In 2009, we weren't really having mainstream conversations about the pressure on women to be "performatively good" at intimacy. The cast had to navigate these themes without the safety net of modern "intimacy coordinators" or the general cultural awareness we have now.
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There’s a scene involving a "meat suit"—hence the title—that could have been purely for shock value. But because of the cast's commitment to the absurdity, it becomes a metaphor for the raw, "carnivorous" nature of human desire and the fear of being consumed by it.
The film didn't make $100 million. It didn't win an Oscar. But it has this cult following. Why? Because the Year of the Carnivore cast made us feel less alone in our own awkwardness. They weren't playing "movie characters"; they were playing the versions of ourselves we try to hide from the world.
A Note on Sook-Yin Lee
While not technically "cast," Lee is the soul of the movie. As a former MuchMusic VJ and the star of the controversial film Shortbus, she brought a level of fearlessness to the production that the actors clearly fed off of. You can see it in the way they move. There’s a lack of vanity. No one is worried about their lighting or if their hair looks perfect. They’re worried about whether they look like they’re actually failing at life. That is a hard thing for an actor to do.
Key Takeaways for Fans of the Movie
If you're revisiting the film or discovering it for the first time, keep an eye on the background characters and the small interactions in the grocery store. The film is a masterclass in "small-town" energy despite being set in a larger urban context.
- Watch Ali Liebert’s evolution. Contrast this role with her work in Bomb Girls. The difference is staggering and shows why she’s one of Canada’s best exports.
- Look for the Kevin McDonald nuances. He’s known for being big and loud, but here he shows a quieter, more restrained side of his comedic talent.
- Appreciate the indie grit. This was made before every indie film had a "filtered" look. It’s grainy, it’s real, and the cast fits that aesthetic perfectly.
The Year of the Carnivore cast represents a specific moment in time for the Pacific Northwest film industry. It was a time of experimentation and weirdness. If you're looking for something that isn't a cookie-cutter rom-com, this is the rabbit hole you want to fall down.
To truly appreciate the performances, your next step should be to look for the "Behind the Scenes" interviews often found on physical DVD copies or specialty streaming sites. Seeing Kristin Thompson and Ali Liebert discuss the filming of the more "experimental" scenes provides a whole new layer of respect for what they pulled off. You might also want to check out Sook-Yin Lee’s other work to see how she continues to push her actors into these uncomfortable, beautiful spaces.