Bambi: The Reckoning (2025) Spoiler Free Review

His mom will be proud. Bambi: The Reckoning is a 2025 British independent horror film directed by Dan Allen. It’s the fourth installment in The Twisted Childhood Universe (TCU) and serves as a horror retelling of Felix Salten’s Bambi, a Life in the Woods. The film was theatrically released on July 25, 2025 in the United States.

After a mother and son get in a car wreck, they soon become hunted by Bambi, a mutated grief-stricken deer on a deadly rampage seeking revenge for the death of his mother.

Film synopsis

The cast includes Roxanne McKee as Xana, Tom Mulheron as Benji, Nicola Wright as Mary, Samira Mighty as Harriet, Alex Cooke as Simon, Russell Geoffrey Banks as Andrew, Joseph Greenwood as Harrison, Catherine Adams as Jo, Ewan Borthwick as Eddie, David Ambler as Rob, Luke Cavendish as Joshua, Big Tobz as Tyler, and Adrian Relph as Michael.

Let’s get this out of the way: yes, this is a B-horror reimagining of the classic Disney-adjacent tale. Yes, the premise sounds ridiculous. But somehow, Bambi: The Reckoning pulls it off better than it has any right to. At first glance, Bambi: The Reckoning might seem like just another gimmicky B-horror entry in the increasingly bizarre Twisted Childhood Universe (TCU) —but surprisingly, it’s much more than that.

For starters, the acting is better than you’d expect from this type of genre flick. The performances feel grounded, and there’s a real effort to make the characters more than just victims-in-waiting. You actually care about them—and even more impressively, you will care about Bambi at the end.

The story is also a pleasant surprise. It’s still very much a B-movie at heart, but there’s more depth than the trailers let on. The narrative takes itself just seriously enough to work, blending moments of suspense, dark humor, and unexpected heart. It’s a noticeable step up from earlier entries in this emerging franchise, both in storytelling and execution.

Visually, the film has its highs and lows. The CGI is a bit much, and I kept wishing for more practical effects, especially during the kills. But to its credit, the kills are fun, creative, and bloody enough to keep horror fans happy. It leans into its camp without losing its footing, which is a tough balance to strike.

Definitely a step up from earlier entries in the horror retelling trend. It’s not a masterpiece, but it is a bloody good time. Go in with low expectations, and you might come out pleasantly surprised.

Bambi: The Reckoning is now available in theaters.