Finding a movie that doesn't just treat kids like they have zero attention span is hard. Honestly, it’s frustrating. Most big-budget animations are just loud noises and bright colors slapped together to sell plastic toys at a fast-food joint. But if you decide to watch The Son of Bigfoot, you’re going to run into something that feels surprisingly grounded, even if the main character has feet the size of snowboards and can talk to squirrels.
It’s a Belgian-French production. That matters. European animation often takes these small, emotional detours that American studios like Illumination or DreamWorks sometimes smooth over in favor of a punchline. Released back in 2017 by nWave Pictures—the same folks who did Fly Me to the Moon—it follows Adam, a social outcast who discovers his long-lost dad isn't just "away" but is actually the legendary Bigfoot.
The Plot Isn't What You Think
Most people expect a slapstick comedy. You know the drill: big guy falls over, small kid laughs, they run away from a bumbling hunter. There’s a little of that, sure. But the core of the story is actually about isolation. Adam is a kid who is getting bullied at school, his hair grows back at a freakish rate every time he cuts it, and his shoes literally burst because his feet are expanding. It's a puberty metaphor. A very literal, hairy puberty metaphor.
When he finally tracks down his father in the woods, the movie shifts. It becomes this exploration of why his dad left in the first place. He wasn't a deadbeat. He was protecting his family from HairCo., a giant corporation that wants to experiment on Bigfoot DNA to cure baldness. It sounds ridiculous when you say it out loud. A "baldness cure" mega-corp? Yet, in our world of questionable pharmaceutical ethics, it kinda hits home.
Why the Animation Style Matters
You might notice the texture of the fur. For a mid-budget studio, the rendering is impressive. They didn't have the $200 million budget of a Pixar film, but they used what they had to create a forest that feels damp and alive. It isn't just "green background." There’s a specific depth to the shadows.
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Is it Worth Your Time?
If you're looking for Spider-Verse levels of artistic revolution, you won't find it here. But if you want a story where the emotional stakes actually feel real, then yes. Adam’s transition from a lonely kid to someone who embraces his "weirdness" is handled with a lot of grace.
The supporting cast is where the humor lives. You’ve got a pair of raccoons and a bear named Wilbur. Wilbur is great. He’s not just a "talking animal" trope; he’s a massive, neurotic bodyguard who adds a layer of genuine comedy to the high-stakes chase scenes.
The Villain Problem
Every movie has a weak spot. For this one, it’s the villain. Wallace Eastman, the CEO of HairCo., is your standard "evil businessman." He doesn't have a ton of nuance. He wants the DNA, he wants the money, and he doesn't care who he hurts. It’s a bit one-dimensional compared to the complex relationship between Adam and his father. However, for a family film, having a clear "bad guy" helps keep the momentum going during the third-act rescue mission.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Movie
There’s this misconception that European animation is "stiff" or "weirdly dubbed."
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That’s not the case here.
The voice acting—featuring talents like Cinda Adams and Bob Barlen—is seamless. You don't get that "uncanny valley" feeling where the mouth movements don't match the words. It feels organic. People also think it's a direct rip-off of Bigfoot Family, but actually, Bigfoot Family is the sequel. You have to start here to understand the dynamics of the forest crew.
The Scientific "Magic"
The movie introduces "Bigfoot powers" like super-hearing and healing hands. It’s a bit of a stretch, biologically speaking, but within the logic of the world, it works. It turns Bigfoot from a scary monster into a sort of woodland guardian. It changes the myth.
Real-World Impact and Reception
Critics were mixed, which is normal for independent animation. It holds around a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes from audiences, which is actually quite high. Parents tend to like it because it doesn't have the "edgy" humor that makes modern kids' movies feel dated within two years. No one is dabbing. No one is making references to 2017 memes that nobody remembers now. It’s timeless in its own way.
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Actionable Steps Before You Hit Play
If you are planning to watch The Son of Bigfoot, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Check the Pacing: The first twenty minutes are a bit slow as it sets up Adam's school life. Stick with it. Once he hits the forest, the energy shifts completely.
- Look for the Sequel: If you enjoy the dynamic, Bigfoot Family (the 2020 sequel) is actually on Netflix in many regions and tackles environmentalism and oil companies. It's a rare case where the sequel might actually be more ambitious than the original.
- Discuss the Themes: If you're watching with kids, talk about the bullying scenes. The movie does a good job showing how Adam handles his "differences" before he realizes they are superpowers.
- Audio Settings: Make sure your sound is balanced. The soundtrack features a lot of upbeat indie-pop that can sometimes drown out the dialogue if your speakers are heavy on the bass.
Ultimately, this isn't a movie that tries to rewrite the history of cinema. It’s a movie about a kid who misses his dad and finds out his dad is a legend. Sometimes, that's exactly what you need on a Saturday afternoon. It’s sweet, it’s a little bit silly, and it has a lot of heart buried under all that CGI fur.
Next Steps for the Viewer:
First, verify which streaming platform currently holds the rights in your zip code, as licensing for nWave titles shifts frequently between platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu. Second, if you have younger children who are sensitive to "peril," be aware that the final chase sequence involving the HairCo. drones can be a bit intense, so a quick pre-watch or sitting with them is a good move. Finally, once the credits roll, look into the Belgian animation scene; studios like nWave are consistently producing high-quality work that rivals the major US studios on a fraction of the budget.