Directing and writing your first feature is certainly a daunting task, but to also star in the vehicle, making yourself a triple threat, is certainly a large task. However, Kaniehtiio Horn (Possessor; Alice, Darling) not only decides to grab that task by the horns, she continues to establish herself as a powerhouse performer who’s able to wield the pen and the camera brilliantly with her feature debut, Seeds (2024), which will take any expectation the audience has about what they’re getting themselves into, throw it straight out the window, and deliver shock and awe. While the story may be one of corporate espionage and self-identity, the movie focuses on the latter so much more, creating a film and resulting in a performance that will send shivers down the spine while having realizations about our own lives.
Kaniehtiio Horn as Ziggy in SEEDS. Photo courtesy of Route 504 PR.
Seeds focuses on Ziggy (Kaniehtiio Horn), a self-described influencer who gets the opportunity she needs to create a better life for herself. As a Kanienʼkehá:ka (Mohawk) woman, she considers herself to be conscious of her surroundings, and when she gets the opportunity to work for Nature’s Oath, a seed and farming company, as a brand ambassador, she jumps at the opportunity. However, her cousin Wiz (Dallas Goldtooth) calls her and tells her she needs to come back to the reservation and take care of her aunt’s house while she’s on vacation and ensure everything stays safe. Hesitant at first, she reluctantly agrees on the condition they have internet. (It exists, but is incredibly spotty; something she didn’t know at first).
When she informs Wiz and other friends that she has become the brand ambassador for Nature’s Oath, she is informed that they’re technically the enemy. The company is the epitome of evil, as it’s relayed to her, and when things start to unravel and become a little dangerous, the true mysteries and chaos start to show themselves. Someone is trying to ensure the legacy of Ziggy’s people will no longer continue to exist, and what started as a reluctant trip back home elevates into a story of good vs. evil, and one that is truly not expected.
L-R: Meegwun Fairbrother as Bandit and Dallas Goldtooth as Wiz in SEEDS. Photo courtesy of Route 504 PR.
Writing, directing, and starring in your first feature is certainly a challenging task, but, somehow, Horn doesn’t fault on any front. The direction is strong through and through, while the script is one of the most unexpected horror thrillers of the year. Going into the movie without any information about it certainly helped, but the result will leave the audience in shock and disarray. Horn is truly a voice behind the scenes, behind the camera, and in front of it that should be looked out for, and her previous acting outings are worth discovering to see what’s been missed.
Kaniehtiio Horn as Ziggy in SEEDS. Photo courtesy of Route 504 PR.
While Horn is the beating heart and lead of the movie and has almost 100% of the screen time, her co-stars consisting of Goldtooth (Rez Ball), Graham Greene playing themselves (Molly’s Game; Dances with Wolves), Meegun Fairbrother as Ziggy’s once-upon-a-time love interest Bandit, and, of course, Potato the Cat, round out a surefire cast which brings forth a final film that implants itself with the audience, lingering with them, and should appear on some of the year’s “Best of …” lists.
Seeds is one of the most unexpected feature debuts, capturing the audience and never letting up. It manages to interweave stories of self-worth, self-discovery, corporate greed, amongst others, effortlessly creating a sleeper hit that is surely going to cause some massive amounts of FOMO (fear of missing out) once others realize what they’re missing out on by not having seen it yet. Whatever Kaniehtiio Horn cooks up next on paper, or on or behind the screen, we’ll make sure we’re seated for it.
Screening during Toronto International Film Festival 2024.
For more information, head to the official Toronto International Film Festival 2024 Seeds webpage.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: Films To Watch, In Theaters, Recommendation, Reviews
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