Thescreescore – The highly anticipated R-rated horror film, Beware Boiúna, featuring Yellowstone universe veteran Logan Marshall-Green, has officially debuted its critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes, immediately sparking considerable discussion. Directed by the increasingly prominent Mike P. Nelson, this creature feature has garnered a "Rotten" rating of 56% from 34 reviews as of October 2, 2026. More significantly, this divisive reception marks a surprising turn for Nelson, shattering his impressive eight-year streak of "Fresh" critical scores and representing the first "Rotten" rating in his directorial career.
Set deep within the treacherous Amazon rainforest, Beware Boiúna plunges a group of humanitarians into a terrifying ordeal. Their mission to deliver vital medicine takes a deadly turn when they become the prey of the titular Boiúna, a colossal, mythical serpent. Alongside Marshall-Green, the ensemble cast features genre favorites Kiana Madeira from Fear Street and Jessica Rothe of Happy Death Day fame. The screenplay, penned by Star Trek alum Alan B. McElroy, promises a blend of suspense and primal terror under Nelson’s direction.
Nelson’s journey in feature filmmaking has, until now, been a testament to consistent critical acclaim. His 2018 debut, the post-apocalyptic horror The Domestics, achieved a rare perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, setting a remarkably high bar. Subsequent projects largely maintained this positive trajectory; the Wrong Turn reboot in 2021, while somewhat polarizing, still secured a "Fresh" 64%, and his 2025 Silent Night, Deadly Night reimagining was lauded as the best-reviewed entry in its series with a 76% score. Even his segment in V/H/S/85 earned a respectable 75%. This history underscores the unexpected nature of Beware Boiúna‘s current critical standing.
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Despite the initial "Rotten" designation, the narrative surrounding Beware Boiúna is far from settled. The score, hovering just shy of "Fresh," could still shift as more reviews come in, a common occurrence on the aggregate site. Moreover, the horror genre frequently sees a divergence between critical and audience appreciation. For instance, the meta Anaconda reboot, starring Paul Rudd and Jack Black, garnered a mere 48% from critics but resonated strongly with audiences, earning a 74% approval. Early insights from reviewers suggest that even within the mixed reception, there are elements worthy of praise. George Bate, writing for thescreescore.com, offered a 6/10 score, drawing compelling parallels to iconic creature features. Bate commended Nelson’s "less is more" approach, likening the elusive serpent’s reveal to Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, where terror is amplified by suggestion. He further noted the creature’s "quiet, calculated menace" evoking Ridley Scott’s Alien, with the climax offering nods to James Cameron’s Aliens.
Regardless of where Beware Boiúna ultimately settles on the critical scale, Mike P. Nelson’s career trajectory appears robust. He has already been tapped by Blumhouse to direct the next installment in the venerable Saw franchise, a significant vote of confidence. Nelson has also openly expressed ambitions for a sequel to his well-received Silent Night, Deadly Night reboot and a proper opportunity to tackle the Friday the 13th universe, following his acclaimed short film Sweet Revenge. The performance of Beware Boiúna, coupled with the impending Saw project, could very well be the catalysts that propel him towards realizing these ambitious genre aspirations.
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