American Cannibal is a dark satirical documentary directed by Perry Grebin and Michael Nigro. Rather than being a traditional horror film, it is a blend of documentary and mockumentary that explores the disturbing intersection of reality television, entertainment, and human depravity.

The film centers on two struggling reality TV writers, Gil S. Ripley and Dave Roberts, who are desperate to come up with a hit show. After several failed attempts to pitch conventional ideas, they land on a more extreme and controversial concept: a reality show in which contestants are stranded on a deserted island and forced to survive—possibly resorting to cannibalism.

The documentary follows the creation of this fictional show, dubbed American Cannibal: The Road to Reality. As the production process unfolds, the filmmakers raise questions about the ethics of reality television and how far producers, networks, and participants are willing to go for ratings. The satirical narrative plays on the dark side of the entertainment industry, where shocking content is prioritized over human decency.

Though American Cannibal is not a traditional horror film, its concept explores horror in a psychological and societal sense, delving into how media can exploit people’s desperation and how reality TV blurs the lines between fiction and real-life consequences. The film combines humor with disturbing subject matter to make a critical commentary on the dangers of pushing the limits of reality television.

The film is unsettling because it taps into a fear that reality television, in its quest for sensationalism, can push participants to extremes for the sake of entertainment. While it might not be for everyone, American Cannibal is particularly interesting for viewers who enjoy dark satire and critiques of modern media culture.