Exploring the Terrifying French Family of American Primeval and Its Connection to a Classic 48-Year-Old Horror Film

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for American Primeval.

In Netflix’s gripping Western miniseries American Primeval, the unsettling French family evokes memories of the infamous cannibalistic clan from Wes Craven’s 1977 horror classic. This six-episode series, directed by Peter Berg, who is known for his work on Friday Night Lights and Lone Survivor, stars Taylor Kitsch as Isaac Reed, alongside a talented cast including Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, and Kim Coates as Brigham Young. American Primeval does not shy away from altering various historical events and figures, adding to its dramatic narrative.

Despite garnering a 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has resonated with viewers, achieving an 86% audience approval and maintaining a spot in Netflix’s Top 10 shows in the U.S. since its debut on January 9, 2025. Kitsch’s previous roles in both Berg’s cinematic offerings have set the stage for this grittier portrayal of frontier life. By the season’s conclusion, a mere few main characters survive as Brigham Young and Wild Bill Hickman seize control of Fort Bridger. Although initially released as a miniseries, Berg has hinted at the possibility of a sequel, piquing the curiosity of fans.

The Role of the French in the American West During the Era of American Primeval

French Explorers and Trappers in the Utah Territory

American Primeval Season 1-1 — Image via Netflix

Episode 3 of American Primeval introduces a sinister group of French Canadian travelers who entrap Sara with the use of a young girl. Despite Isaac’s warnings, Sara’s compassion leads her into peril, endangering herself, her son Devin, and Isaac Reed. Ignoring reason due to her inexperience on the frontier, Sara’s decision proves catastrophic as they fall victim to the intentions of the French group, which had settled in the American West primarily to profit from the fur trade.

During the mid-1800s, many French Canadians ventured into the largely untraveled expanses of Utah Territory, much like their Eastern American counterparts. However, not all of these explorers adopted a hostile demeanor; many were mountain men and trappers seeking fortunes within the fur trade. Notably, Étienne Provost stands out as a significant figure in Utah’s early history, known for his expeditions across the region. As noted by Utah History, “Although he does not have the wide recognition of Jim Bridger or John Colter, Etienne Provost was considered by his contemporaries as one of the most knowledgeable, skillful, and successful of the mountain men.”

The Disturbing Depiction of the French Family in American Primeval

Inbreeding and Cannibalism: The Origins of Their Appearance

The French Canadian family portrayed in the series exhibits signs of severe inbreeding and cannibalism, which contribute to their grotesque and terrifying appearance. Their portrayal suggests a regression to a primitive, almost subhuman state, completely detached from the norms of civilized society. This transformation extends to both their physical traits and moral compass, as they live outside the confines of societal order.

Director Peter Berg shared insights in an interview with Decider, indicating that he and writer Mark L. Smith were inspired by historical accounts of French Canadians who inhabited America in 1857, relying on the land for survival. Berg described these fictional characters as “some of whom in our mind may have been a bit nefarious,”thus contributing to the horror elements of the series through their alarming and inhuman characteristics.

The Echoes of The Hills Have Eyes in American Primeval

Pluto: The Iconic Villain of the 1977 Horror Classic

The Hills Have Eyes Michael Barryman Trailer Hand Over Mouth

The unsettling imagery of the French Canadians in American Primeval undeniably recalls the horrifying scenes from The Hills Have Eyes, where cannibalism and brutality reign. The striking resemblance between the characters in the two productions, particularly to the character Pluto, lends a chilling layer to American Primeval. This intertextual connection enhances the horror themes within the otherwise traditional Western setting, suggesting that had Sara and Isaac fallen into their clutches, they might have met a grim fate.

Sources: Utah History, Decider

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