The Bad Shepherd (2024) – Review & Description

In the new psychological thriller The Bad Shepherd (2024), directed by Geo Santini, a group of friends’ hunting trip turns into a nightmare when they stumble upon unexpected danger and illicit money.

Plot Summary

The film opens with a tightly-knit circle of friends heading into the remote wilderness for a hunting trip. Their camaraderie and excitement quickly shatter when their truck hits a mysterious woman on the road, who is carrying a duffel bag full of cash.

What follows is an unraveling of trust, loyalty and morality: guilt begins to consume the group, paranoia sets in, and when the true owner of the money arrives, the friends find themselves caught in a deadly game of survival. The stakes are no longer just about the bag of money they’re about who will live, who will betray, and who will break.

Themes & Strengths

At its core, The Bad Shepherd explores the question: What would you do when the moral line blurs? As reviewer Karina Adelgaard notes, the film engages with the ‘what would you do?’ scenario and emphasizes human nature in crisis rather than over-relying on supernatural gimmicks.

The wilderness setting amplifies the isolation and suspense. The film uses the hunting-trip-turned-trap scenario to explore how friendships and loyalty can fracture under pressure. This makes it relatable for viewers drawn to psychological thrillers about human nature and survival.

The casting and direction while not featuring major stars carry the tension effectively. Geo Santini’s dual role as director and antagonist gives the film a consistent tone, albeit one that some viewers found uneven.

Weaknesses & Criticisms

Despite its promising setup, The Bad Shepherd has drawn criticism for predictability and loose narrative logic. According to the review on Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a low Tomatometer rating, suggesting that critics found the execution lacking.

One recurring critique is the twist and ending. Some viewers felt the film deviated from its grounded tone in order to deliver a more sensational reveal, which diluted the emotional impact.

Another issue is part of the character motivations and pacing. The initial incident (accident with the woman) begins compellingly, but as the middle act unfolds, the momentum reportedly lags.

Why Watch It?

• If you enjoy thrillers that focus on moral dilemmas, trust breakdowns, and the pressure-cooker of survival in isolation, this film delivers.

• The wilderness setting and the “bag of money” inciting incident provide an immediately gripping hook.

• The runtime (91 minutes) makes it a compact choice for a thriller night.

Who Should Be Cautious?

• If you prefer finely-woven plots or major star-driven performances, you might find The Bad Shepherd less than satisfying.

• If you dislike predictable or cliché thriller elements, the film’s structure may feel familiar or derivative.

• If you expect a fully explained motive or seamless logic, be prepared for some loose threads in the narrative.

Final Verdict

The Bad Shepherd is a mixed bag: a concept with strong potential and moments of genuine tension, but also a film weighed down by uneven execution and narrative shortcuts. For fans of survival thrillers rooted in moral quandaries and remote settings, it’s worth a watch. However, those looking for a flawless, genre-reinventing film might come away disappointed.