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Into the Grizzly Maze

Into the Grizzly Maze is a 2015 directed by from a screenplay by Guy Moshe and J. R. Reher. The story centers on two estranged brothers, portrayed by and , who reunite at their childhood home in the remote Alaskan wilderness and embark on a expedition that turns deadly when they are relentlessly pursued by a massive . Released theatrically in a limited capacity on June 26, 2015, in the United States, the film emphasizes elements set against the harsh Alaskan landscape. The cast includes notable actors such as as Michelle, as Douglass, and as Sully, alongside supporting performances by and . Filmed primarily in , , to represent the Alaskan setting, the production highlights intense bear attack sequences using practical effects and to depict the animal's ferocity. The narrative explores themes of brotherhood, redemption, and human vulnerability in nature, drawing comparisons to earlier like Grizzly (1976). Upon release, Into the Grizzly Maze received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the atmospheric tension and performances but criticized the predictable plot and uneven pacing, resulting in a 36% approval rating on based on 11 reviews (as of November 2025). Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 on from 11,300 user votes (as of November 2025), reflecting its appeal as a straightforward B-movie rather than a critical standout. The film later gained availability on streaming platforms and .

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

Two estranged brothers, Beckett and Rowan, reunite in their remote Alaskan hometown after years apart. Beckett, a local sheriff's , is dealing with reports of a massive terrorizing the area, having already killed two loggers. Rowan, recently released from after serving time for a violent incident, has returned to reconnect with his roots and assist in searching for his missing associate, Johnny, a Native American guide who led a group of illegal poachers into the —a dense, treacherous known for its . Meanwhile, Beckett's wife, Michelle, a deaf photographer, ventures into the same woods to capture images and soon goes missing, heightening the urgency. The brothers, despite their strained relationship stemming from childhood trauma involving their father's death and a past bear encounter, set out on a two-day hike into the Grizzly Maze to locate Michelle and Johnny. Joined briefly by the grizzled local sheriff, Sully, and medical examiner Kaley, along with hunter Douglass who is tracking the bear with his poacher group, they navigate the rugged terrain, unaware that the grizzly—driven to rage by poachers who killed its cubs—is stalking them relentlessly. Early in the journey, the bear ambushes the poachers' group: it savagely attacks and kills Frenchie, a rough hunter, by mauling him during a confrontation near their camp, and later dispatches Scott, another member of the illegal hunting party, in a brutal chase through the underbrush; Douglass is also killed in the attacks. Johnny attempts to fend off the beast but is ultimately torn apart, his body later discovered mangled. Sully meets a similar fate while aiding the search. These initial attacks underscore the bear's unnatural ferocity, attributed to human encroachment disrupting its habitat. As the search intensifies, Rowan stumbles upon , who has survived an initial assault but is injured and hiding in a makeshift . The brothers reunite with her, but the grizzly soon strikes again, killing Kaley in a horrific scene where it rips her apart after she falls during an escape attempt down a hillside. The survivors—Beckett, Rowan, and —flee deeper into the maze, using improvised weapons and their knowledge of the land to evade the pursuing beast. Amid the chaos, family revelations surface: the brothers confront buried resentments over their father's abandonment and Rowan's , which stemmed from defending their , leading to a poignant as they vow to protect one another and . The 's unyielding pursuit highlights themes of human intrusion into wild territories, with the animal portrayed as a force of nature retaliating against and development. In the climactic sequence, the trio reaches a riverbank where Sully's abandoned offers a potential . The grizzly launches a final, ferocious , charging through the woods and forcing desperate maneuvers, including setting traps with fire and using a to ignite the bear's fur. Beckett and Rowan fight back-to-back, their renewed bond enabling coordinated attacks that wound the beast. , drawing on her photography gear, distracts it long enough for the brothers to douse it in and set it ablaze. Though gravely injured, the grizzly persists until a point-blank blast from Beckett finishes it. The survivors commandeer the and flee downriver to , emerging from the forever changed by the ordeal.

Cast

The principal cast of Into the Grizzly Maze features a mix of established actors portraying the central human characters in the film's Alaskan wilderness setting. stars as Beckett Moore, the responsible brother who has remained in and serves as a local sheriff's deputy with deep ties to the community. plays Rowan Moore, Beckett's estranged brother and a troubled ex-convict who returns to the family home after serving time in prison. portrays Michelle, Beckett's devoted wife and a deaf committed conservationist specializing in . Supporting the leads are as , the grizzled local tasked with maintaining order in the remote town. appears as Douglass, a seasoned and self-assured hunter known for his tracking expertise in the wild. rounds out the ensemble as Kaley, a with personal history as Rowan's ex-girlfriend and professional ties to the unfolding events. The film also prominently features Bart the Bear 2 as the titular grizzly bear antagonist, a trained interior Alaskan grizzly weighing over 1,100 pounds, orphaned as a cub in the and raised by animal trainers Doug and Lynne Seus at their Wasatch Rocky Mountain Wildlife facility in . , who passed away in 2021 at age 21, had a notable career in cinema, appearing in previous films such as (1997) and (1994) alongside his trainers' original .

Development and Production

Development

The screenplay for Into the Grizzly Maze was written by Guy Moshe and J.R. Reher, incorporating classic man-vs.-nature horror tropes akin to those in Anthony Hopkins-starring survival thrillers like The Edge (1997). Originally titled Red Machine, the project was developed by Indomitable Entertainment and Paul Schiff Productions, with principal creative announcements made in early 2012. David Hackl was attached to direct, selected for his prior work helming the horror sequel Saw V (2008). The production carried an estimated budget of $10 million. In February 2013, acquired North American distribution rights to the completed and retitled it Endangered. The title evolved further to Grizzly before settling on Into the Grizzly Maze for its eventual release, after relinquished the rights.

Casting

Casting for Into the Grizzly Maze, initially titled Red Machine, commenced in early 2012 following the completion of the script. On January 19, 2012, and were announced as the lead actors portraying the estranged brothers at the center of the survival thriller, with joining them in the ensemble. In early February 2012, was added to the cast in a supporting role. Shortly thereafter, on February 3, 2012, rounded out the principal cast alongside additional actors including and . The production selected , an Alaskan trained by animal coordinators Doug and Lynne Seus of Vital Ground Foundation, to portray the antagonistic bear. At around 12 years old during pre-production, had prior experience in films such as (2001).

Filming

for Into the Grizzly Maze began in February 2012 and continued through March 2012 in , , , which served as a for the Alaskan depicted in the film. The production lasted approximately two months, capturing the dense forest environments essential to the story. Filming took place primarily in Metro Vancouver, including areas around Maple Ridge, to replicate the remote Alaskan setting, with additional shots in Squamish, British Columbia, for rural landscapes. Specific sequences, such as a bar scene, were shot in Big Bear Lake, California, while other exteriors utilized Jordanelle State Park in Heber City, Utah, to enhance the natural terrain visuals. Green screen technology was employed for certain bear-related effects to integrate the animal into dynamic action sequences. The film was directed by , with cinematography handled by James Liston, who focused on capturing the lush, foreboding wilderness to heighten tension. For the grizzly bear antagonist, production utilized practical effects featuring , an 8.5-foot, 1,100-pound Alaskan grizzly trained for film work, alongside enhancements for attack scenes to ensure safety and visual impact. Animal safety protocols were strictly followed during shoots involving the bear, adhering to industry standards for trained performers. Post-production occurred after initial distributor exited the project, with final assembly managed under the involvement of before acquired distribution rights. Weather conditions in British Columbia's coastal forests presented occasional challenges, including rain and variable lighting, which the crew navigated to maintain the film's atmospheric tone.

Release

Theatrical and VOD Release

Into the Grizzly Maze was released on (VOD) platforms on May 19, 2015, distributed by . This was followed by a on June 26, 2015, in select theaters across the . The film's distribution rights were initially acquired by in 2013, but the studio relinquished them in 2014, leading to the project being picked up by , which co-distributed it with for the North American release. Internationally, the film saw an early DVD premiere in on February 27, 2015, while in , it received a Blu-ray release on August 4, 2015. Marketing efforts focused on the film's aspects, with official trailers released online beginning in May 2015, highlighting tense sequences and promoting it as a gripping summer . These trailers featured the and emphasized the perilous Alaskan setting to build anticipation for both VOD and theatrical audiences.

Home Media

The home media release of Into the Grizzly Maze began in the with a DVD edition distributed by on , 2015. No Blu-ray edition was released in the market. Internationally, the film saw a Blu-ray premiere in on , 2015. In , a Blu-ray edition followed on October 12, 2015, distributed by Scanbox Entertainment with no special features included. The received a DVD release on August 17, 2015, through . Following its initial video-on-demand debut, the film became available for digital streaming and purchase on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (via iTunes), and The Roku Channel, where it offered free ad-supported viewing as of 2025. No major re-releases or new home media editions have been issued through November 2025.

Reception

Critical Response

Into the Grizzly Maze received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with aggregate scores reflecting general disappointment in its execution. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 36% approval rating based on 11 reviews, with an average score of 4.5/10. Similarly, Metacritic reports a score of 43 out of 100, derived from four reviews. Simon Abrams of awarded the film 1 out of 4 stars, describing it as a "tedious" and "grating" man-vs.-nature story that fails where it matters most, particularly in its retrograde machismo and weak narrative drive. Other critics echoed this sentiment, with Under the Radar Magazine giving it 3 out of 10 and calling the buildup to the climax unworthy of the admission price, despite modest thrills in the finale. Common criticisms focused on the film's predictable and clichéd storyline, underdeveloped characters, and excessive reliance on gore over tension. Reviewers noted the script's rushed backstories and lack of originality, often comparing it unfavorably to classics like . Direction by , known for , was seen as mixed, with some faulting it for missed opportunities and a lack of atmospheric depth. On the positive side, the film earned praise for its atmospheric Alaskan setting and the intense, gory sequences, which highlighted the grizzly's power and grace. The performance of II as the was commended for its authenticity and menace, often outshining the human elements. Acting received divided responses; and Thomas Jane's brotherly chemistry was highlighted as believable and dynamic, while Billy Bob Thornton's role as the sheriff was criticized as underutilized and filler-like. Overall, outlets like Cinema Crazed described it as a well-acted, engrossing for fans of the genre.

Commercial Performance

The for Into the Grizzly Maze was $10 million. received a on June 26, 2015, following an earlier VOD premiere on May 19, 2015, but domestic and international grosses are not publicly available. Primary revenue streams were thus derived from VOD rentals and purchases, as well as home media distribution through . DVD and Blu-ray sales figures for the film are not publicly disclosed, reflecting its modest commercial footprint given the low-profile release strategy. By 2025, Into the Grizzly Maze remains available for streaming on platforms such as (with ads), , and , though it has seen no revivals or widespread re-releases. Audience reception metrics indicate limited enthusiasm, with an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 on based on over 11,000 user votes and 2.4 out of 5 on from approximately 4,500 ratings. The film received no awards or nominations in industry ceremonies. In terms of legacy, Into the Grizzly Maze has garnered a minor among survival horror enthusiasts, particularly for its bear attack sequences, drawing occasional comparisons to the 1976 film , but it has not achieved significant cultural impact or inspired sequels as of 2025.

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