Lost Monster Files Review | New Monster Hunting Show
Oh boy! I’m love a monster-hunting show that’s not focused on Bigfoot. Don’t get me wrong: I love the big hairy fellah. But there are more monsters out there than just him, The Loch Ness Monster, and Jersey Devil. Let’s get into the review, eh?
Lost Monster Files Background
Lost Monster Files is a reality TV series that premiered on the Discovery Channel on October 9, 2024. The show features a team of experts who reexamine the recently unearthed case files of renowned cryptozoologist Ivan Sanderson. By utilizing Sanderson’s detailed research, along with modern technology and recent eyewitness accounts, the team investigates legendary creatures such as the Chupacabra, the Abominable Snowman, and the Thunderbird.
Lost Monster Files is produced by Anomaly Entertainment, a company specializing in documentary and reality television with a focus on science, history, and the paranormal. Their portfolio includes other paranormal-themed series such as UFO Witness, which investigates UFO sightings across America, 28 Days Haunted, and shark shows … A LOT of shark shows.
Anyway, you can stream the show on Max or Discovery+ now. I originally watched the review episode, Kodiak Sea Monster, on Sling TV. I gotta tell you those commercial breaks are looooooooong.
Format
If you’ve seen The Holzer Files, the ghost-hunting show on Travel, then you’ll totally recognize the format for Lost Monster Files. It’s nearly identical. Just swap Hans Holzer with Ivan Sanderson. I had to look up if it was the same production company. It’s not, but Anomaly borrowed heavily from The Holzer Files. I’m not complaining: I dug the format.
In a nutshell, the show flows like this:
- We open with Ivan Sanderson talking about the creature spotlighted in the episode
- Lead investigators (monster hunters?) discuss the original case and new sightings, and we hear more quotes from Sanderson
- The team meets up to discuss the case and how to get some evidence
- The monster hunters head into the field while lead investigators talk to witnesses
- The team regroups to review what they found
- Strategies and tactics are planned
- Final field research takes place as tension builds
- Evidence get revealed and personal experiences told
- … and then nothing conclusive is found
- Roll credits
I kid (mostly) on that ninth item, but rarely do you get conclusive evidence of a monster (or ghost) in paranormal reality TV. I still love the genre tho’.
The Cast
One thing that bugs me with paranormal reality TV shows is the casting. I’ve always said, and still stand behind this, only cast experts in the field. Ghosty shows are notorious for putting newbies on so they get authentic “scared” reactions.
For a cryptozoology show, you better have cryptozoologists, zoologists and natural science people on. Critters usually mean you get more real science versus pseudoscience-y shit like ghost hunting shows. You know, because you’re trying to find a real-life critter.
Before you complain about ghosty shows, you know how much I love them. That’s why I give them shit when they deserve it.
Ok, now to the cast … I shall judge.
Brittany Barbieri
She’s the team’s leading cryptozoolist. It looks like she also dabbles in UFOlogy and ghost hunting, but critters are her jam.
It seems like she’s got the chops for the show.
Dan Nachtrab
You don’t see Dan onscreen because he’s the ‘voice’ of the show. Dan is the narrator with those velvety pipes adding context throughout the adventure.
Dan was my favorite of the cast.
For the most part, the casting directors went for experienced nature/critter types. At least, they got a lot of gator wranglers. I still have my doubts about Charlie. From his website and web presence, I don’t get field researcher from him. But I thought he was credible for the show.
Production Quality
Production quality deals with things like cinematography, drone work, editing, storytelling, and sound. Overall, the production company nailed it. This is one the best produced paranormal reality shows out there. I originally thought it was a Ping Pong Productions (Josh Gates) or Pilgrim Media Group (Ghost Hunters) show, not the one that made 28 Days Haunted. Yes, I threw some shade. That show was awful.
Just from a nerd standpoint, the monster sketches, titles and credits, and editing were my favorite bits.
Evidence Quality
From here on, my review is specific to the Kodiak Sea Monster episode (S1E5).
Now for the evidence, well, I was more into the eyewitness interviews, sleuthing by Tracy, and critter tracking from Justin and Troy than the evidence itself.
Don’t get me wrong: I like how Brittany explained the steps to the experiments and Justin explained how the tech works, but you either get a monster or you don’t. And, well, you get about 8 minutes of the final investigation before the credits roll.
I liked the recap between Tracy, Brittany and Charlie in the Sanderson archives. But, it’s not as good as seeing a monster.
Oh yeah, I totally dig the Cryptid Creature Index classification system.
What’s Good
I’ve already mentioned the production quality as a strong point. And I also really enjoyed the focus on lesser known monsters.
But I think the thing I like most is the adventure aspect of the show. The team goes out and explores, so I felt like I was on a cryptid-hunting vacation. It reminds me of how Expedition Unknown and Expedition X makes me feel while watching.
What’s Bad
I thought the show started to drag a bit in the middle. It’s the segment that starts after the initial field investigation and witness interviews. The team is back in the cabin HQ and debating different options, rethinking strategy, and possibilities. It just made me go ‘meh.’
The next time happened when Brittany started talking about the dumping of chemicals in the sea, and it might cause a mutagenesis in marine life. While I love me some science fiction, the show was sticking pretty close to real science (mostly) up to this point. I guess it took me out of the moment. It felt like a conspiracy theory … and I really dislike those. That’s probably it.
Now that I think about it, I think I know why … the cast wasn’t scattered around, investigating, and exploring. They were in a shack talking. More movement and adventure please …
Is Lost Monster Files Worth Watching?
For sure! This show will probably get compared to Expedition Bigfoot and Expedition X, but I like Lost Monster Files a bit more. From the opening with Sanderson, to the set up to the cases, the field research, and the evidence analysis; it’s a well made show. The cast knows what they’re doing, and it’s all a bit cheesy. That’s exactly what you want from your paranormal show!
But, really, I like the feel of adventure and a touch education. By that, I mean you learn about lesser known monsters, see varied locations, and get a touch of some real science (hello to all the sonar goodness in the Kodiak Sea Monster episode).
I’m also happy to see more paranormal shows coming back after Discovery culled most of them in 2021-22. I just hope the producers stick to lesser known monsters. We all know the deal with Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, Jersey Devil, Mothman, and Chupacabra.
How many of us even knew there is a cave dog in Arkansas?! I feel learned!
Lost Monster Files streams on Discovery+ and Max now.
Images: All sourced from Warner Bros.-Discovery media kits and the cast’s social media profiles.
Last Updated on December 3, 2024 by Jacob Rice