Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.Beasts of the Southern WildA movie brief.
2012 / Magical realism / Directed by Benh Zeitlin
A young girl's fierce determination in a world of wonder.
What is Beasts of the Southern Wild about?
In a small Louisiana bayou community, a six-year-old girl named Hushpuppy lives with her ailing father Wink. The community is threatened by rising sea levels and an impending flood.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is set in a fictional Louisiana bayou community called the Bathtub, inspired by isolated fishing communities in Terrebonne Parish.
World
The film features a mix of realistic and fantastical elements, including giant horned boar-like creatures called aurochs.
Pressure
Hushpuppy and her community face the threat of a flood that could destroy their homes and way of life.
Craft
The film was shot on 16mm film and features a small professional crew and dozens of local residents in and around Montegut, Louisiana.
Viewing note
The film features a young protagonist and a mix of drama, fantasy, and adventure elements.
A thought to take with you.
Hushpuppy's view of the bayou combines daily survival with mythic images, making the community's environmental danger both immediate and imaginative. Her bond with Wink gives the story a child's perspective on a home that adults may not be able to preserve.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a lyrical, independent fantasy-drama about a child and a threatened Louisiana community. It includes poverty, illness, and an impending storm.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 5, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach