How a slapstick movie idea about beavers went from the bar to one of 2024's biggest indie hits
How a slapstick movie idea about beavers went from the bar to one of 2024's biggest indie hits
The microbudget movie “Hundreds of Beavers” has turned into lo-fi legend. Mike Cheslik’s film, made for just $150,000 and self-distributed in theaters, has managed to gnaw its way into a movie culture largely dominated by big-budget sequels.
But in a shrinking movie industry, DIY microbudget filmmaking may increasingly be left to fill some of the void left by risk-averse, corporate-driven Hollywood.
“I hope people can stop shooting things to make them look like commercials and just get back to more of the nitty gritty and letting your imagination flow,” says Tews, who also co-wrote the movie with Cheslik. “I just hope we stop bowing down to Hollywood and thinking they’re the gold standard. Because they just aren’t.”
Hundreds of Beavers is easily my favourite movie this year. I watched it with some friends who had no idea what they were watching, and it has been a universal hit with them. The physical comedy is done really well, and many gags are foundational to setting rules for the viewer to set up even more elaborate and hilarious gags as the movie goes on. Honestly this is such a unique and fun movie, it was a breath of fresh air. I am.hanging out for a theatre showing near me, as I think the only way the movie could be better would be to experience it with a crowd.
I believe it's also streaming free on Tubi.
It’s free on YouTube when I last checked
Thought I was going to watch a mediocre college film project and came away with one of the most entertaining experiences this year
I just watched this and holy shit it's great... Has been half the time saying oh that's so stupid and laughing at the same time.... It's an amazingly stupid movie.
I'd definitely pay to go see this with people in theaters.
In the words of my 17 yo daughter "that was fucking amazing." I saw it with a few friends and family at a small theater in Minneapolis with some of the crew talking beforehand.
It's truly an amazing watch.