Beware Boiúna (2026): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Beware Boiúna is a 2026 action thriller directed by Mike P. Nelson, starring Jessica Rothe as Alli, Kiana Madeira and Juan Pablo Shuk. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Mike P. Nelson
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Constantin Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Beware Boiúna About?
The premise of Beware Boiúna without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A group of physicians travels deep into the Amazon rainforest on a humanitarian mission, only to discover that both the local inhabitants and the jungle itself are hostile to their presence. Their arrival awakens the legendary water predator known as the Boiúna, forcing them to confront a deadly, unseen threat.
Beware Boiúna Cast & Characters
Jessica Rothe leads the cast as Alli, with Kiana Madeira as Lena and Juan Pablo Shuk as Miguel. Directed by Mike P. Nelson; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mike P. Nelson
-
Jessica Rothe as Alli -
Kiana Madeira as Lena - Juan Pablo Shuk as Miguel
- Will Close as Callum
Also Starring in Beware Boiúna
· 8 more- Jaime Newball Raúl
- Sergio Herrera Jorge
- Logan Marshall-Green Brennan Malloy
- Jackson Bews Shawn
- Nelson Camayo Guilherme
- Vicente Peña Pedro
- Christophe de Geest Proctor
- Mateo Moreno Diego
Beware Boiúna Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Beware Boiúna 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in character & emotion (55) and weakest in art & craft (40).
Beware Boiúna Echo Score Breakdown
Beware Boiúna emerges as a mixed creature feature whose atmosphere and scares earn appreciation, while execution issues temper enthusiasm. Reviewers describe genuine tension and a fitting Amazonian setting enriched by local folklore, with several praising scary sequences and unexpected twists. Counterbalancing this, criticism targets an overlong runtime, an unnecessary first act, and a weak, momentum-killing ending. Technical complaints—murky, excessively dark visuals, subpar CGI for the title snake, and rapid, disorienting editing—appear across both professional and audience reactions. The film is regarded as intermittently effective genre entertainment that squanders a strong premise through uneven craft and familiar structure.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 40
In terms of direction and editing, Beware Boiúna draws its harshest criticism. Multiple reviewers cite choppy, meandering construction, split-second edits, unnecessary close-ups, and constant camera movement that obscures the action. The creature's subpar CGI, hidden behind foliage and darkness, is described as embarrassing when visible. Some concede a gritty 70s-thriller aesthetic and one standout sequence, but uneven technical execution dominates the overall assessment.
- Character & Emotion 55
When it comes to character and performance, reactions are moderately favorable. Acting is described as decent, with backstories and early relationship-building cited as the film's most interesting material, and the protagonist's arc is noted for avoiding condescending genre tropes. However, characters largely function within a familiar picked-off-one-by-one structure that limits emotional depth, and several reviewers observe the film losing character focus as it progresses.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of story and pacing, the film is notably divisive. Positive points include appreciated twists, interwoven subplots that sustain interest, folklore-infused originality within the giant-snake premise, and a handful of unpredictable, memorable moments. Against this, reviewers consistently flag an overlong runtime, an unnecessary first act, drawn-out sections, and a weak ending that disrupts momentum. The narrative is judged familiar to its genre—uneven but intermittently gripping.
- Sensory Experience 48
Regarding sensory experience, impressions split between sound and visuals. The soundtrack receives explicit praise, and the film's solid, jump-driven scares contribute to its repeatedly noted atmosphere. Visual cohesion, however, is a consistent weak point: reviewers describe excessively dark, murky imagery that forces viewers to squint, subpar computer-generated effects for the snake, and limited creature visibility that undermines the central showcase premise.
- Rewatch Factor 46
For lasting appeal, the film is viewed as serviceable disposable entertainment. Several reviewers call it a fun, recommendable creature feature, while others label it ultimately forgettable and unlikely to reward repeat viewing. Sentiment suggests enjoyment in the moment, with the familiar structure and lack of innovation limiting the impulse to revisit, even among audiences who had a genuinely good time.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 67% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 49 Metascore
See on Metacritic
Beware Boiúna Plot Summary
What happens in Beware Boiúna from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens in Colombia, along the Amazon River. A tribe called the Yaguari are closing in on an illegal mining camp. As the villagers force the miners out, a gigantic snake known as Boiúna emerges and attacks the miners.
Somewhere else along the river, a medical boat, R.R. Hermes, is making its way to a nearby village. They include Allison (Jessica Rothe), Callum (Will Close), Miguel (Juan Pablo Shuk), Raul (Jaime Newball), and Lena (Kiana Madeira). Lena has been searching for her brother Jorge (Sergio Herrera), who was lost somewhere in the Amazon, but she believes he is still alive. She also considers Raul to be like a father figure, and he views her as a surrogate daughter.
Full summary
The whole story of Beware Boiúna, scene by scene
Beware Boiúna Trailers & Videos
11 videos: 2 trailers, 8 teasers and 1 clip.
- Trailer Final Trailer
- Teaser The reactions are in…
- Teaser HER jungle. HER rules.
- Teaser Did you hear that?
How Well Do You Know Beware Boiúna?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the gigantic snake that terrorizes the Amazon in the film?
Seen Beware Boiúna?
Beware Boiúna FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Beware Boiúna, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Beware Boiúna?
Beware Boiúna runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Beware Boiúna released?
Beware Boiúna was released on October 2, 2026.
Who directed Beware Boiúna?
Beware Boiúna was directed by Mike P. Nelson.
More films by Mike P. Nelson Who is in the cast of Beware Boiúna?
Beware Boiúna stars Jessica Rothe as Alli, Kiana Madeira as Lena and Juan Pablo Shuk as Miguel, among 12 credited actors.
How is Beware Boiúna rated?
Beware Boiúna has 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic.
Does Beware Boiúna have a post-credit scene?
No. Beware Boiúna has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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