Beware Boiúna (2026)
Horror, Thriller • PT1H44M
Overview
Deep in the Amazon, a medical mission spirals into a fight for survival when Boiúna, a colossal ancient predator, awakens to reclaim her domain. In the jungle where nature holds absolute power, she decides who lives and who dies.
Director: Mike P. Nelson
Top Cast
- Logan Marshall-Green as Brennan Malloy
- Kiana Madeira as Lena
- Jessica Rothe as Alli
- Jackson Bews as Shawn
- Juan Pablo Shuk as Miguel
Full Story & Plot Synopsis
Directed by Mike P. Nelson and written by Alan B. McElroy from a story co-developed with Tony Giglio, the survival monster horror feature Beware Boiúna debuted at Fantastic Fest on September 17, 2026, ahead of its theatrical release on October 2, 2026, distributed by Lionsgate. Produced by Jeremy Bolt of JB Pictures and Robert Kulzer of Constantin Film, the 104-minute creature feature brings folklore to life with an ensemble cast starring Kiana Madeira, Jessica Rothe, and Logan Marshall-Green. The film generated notable attention across horror cinema circles, praised for grounding its large-scale creature action in authentic environmental tension, practical survival stakes, and rich Brazilian mythological roots. WHERE TO WATCH & STREAMING AVAILABILITY Beware Boiúna premieres across theatrical cinema screens worldwide, including AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark. Following its exclusive theatrical run, the feature will be available for digital transactional video-on-demand purchase across platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google TV, followed by subscription streaming distribution via Lionsgate's partner networks. INTRIGUING FACTS & TRIVIA The narrative draws directly from Amazonian folklore surrounding the Boiúna, also known as the Cobra Grande, a legendary gigantesque serpent said to inhabit the depths of the Amazon river basin. The project was developed under the early working titles Titan and Boiúna: Legend of the Amazon before Lionsgate finalized the official release title as Beware Boiúna. Principal photography took place on location in the Amazon rainforest near Leticia, Colombia, requiring professional animal wranglers on set to safeguard cast and crew from native wildlife hazards. BACKSTORY & THEMATIC ANALYSIS Deep along the Curuçá River in the Amazon rainforest, a routine humanitarian medical expedition led by dedicated professionals, including character Brennan Malloy (Logan Marshall-Green), journeys into remote indigenous territory to deliver vital healthcare supplies. However, as the medical team pushes further into pristine, uncharted riverways, their presence accidentally disturbs a sacred, ancient ecosystem, awakening the Boiúna, a colossal, predatory serpent that has slumbered for centuries. Cut off from modern communications and trapped in dense jungle terrain, the survivors must navigate treacherous river rapids, extreme weather, and territorial wildlife while hunted by the unstoppable leviathan. As group members are picked off one by one, the remaining doctors and guides are forced to abandon their non-violent instincts, utilizing medical gear, wilderness survival tactics, and local knowledge to wage a desperate fight for survival against a force of nature. Thematically, Beware Boiúna explores environmental encroachment, human hubris, survival instinct, and the ancient authority of nature over modern civilization. By contrasting well-meaning medical intervention against an unyielding mythical guardian, the narrative underscores that human technological advancement remains powerless when confronted by primordial, unblemished ecosystems. BEHIND-THE-SCENES INSIGHTS Director Mike P. Nelson collaborated with cinematographer Nick Junkersfeld to capture real, untamed jungle landscapes, utilizing handheld camera setups and natural river lighting to heighten claustrophobic immersion. The visual effects team combined practical animatronic snake rigs for close encounters with seamless CGI enhancements to give the colossal serpent realistic weight, aquatic speed, and biological movement. Through its thrilling creature choreography, authentic jungle backdrop, and intense survival narrative, Beware Boiúna stands as a gripping modern entry in monster cinema. For a look at the creature action and Amazonian atmosphere, watch the Official Trailer for Beware Boiúna. This trailer provides a glimpse of the cast, the setting, and the colossal predator.