Mike Hermosa‘s (Dutch Hollow, Wildflower) The Invisible Raptor is a delightfully absurd yet ingenious homage to the cherished sci-fi and adventure films of the ’80s and ’90s. The Amblin force is particularly strong here: With the “dinosaurs run amok” setup of Jurassic Park (minus any actual visible dinos), the looming unseen threat of Jaws (sans seas and shark), and sprinklings of the wit, moxie and camaraderie of Indiana Jones, E.T. and The Goonies, this film packs a knockout retro punch. But don’t mistake this for some half-baked imitation because the result is a fresh, fun, and surprisingly heartfelt story that transcends typical schlocky B-movie fare.
The premise is gloriously bonkers, but the film commits to it wholeheartedly: After a top-secret experiment goes spectacularly wrong, the story—written by lead actor Mike Capes and co-writer Johnny Wickham—reveals how a shadowy biotech company somehow managed to bring a prehistoric raptor back from extinction and, for reasons unknown, imbue the beast with the power of invisibility.
But this invisible raptor isn’t just a one trick dino — it’s also incredibly smart. After a covert escape from its enclosure, it’s up to washed-up paleontologist Dr. Grant Walker (Capes) and bumbling security guard Denny Danielson (David Shackelford) to stop the transparent terror before it wreaks havoc on the sleepy community of Spielburgh County.
Enlisting the help of local chicken farmer Henrietta McCluckskey (Sandy Martin) and Grant’s ex-girlfriend, Amber (Caitlin McHugh Stamos), they work together to uncover the truth about this elusive apex predator and put a stop to its reign of camouflaged chaos.
The film’s real charm lies in its outlandish premise, game-for-a-laugh performances, and deft execution. Unlike the trashy, trend-chasing movies that so often flood the market, The Invisible Raptor avoids the traps of overindulgent parody or shallow satire. Instead, it shares a spirit more akin to Critters‘ playful homage to Gremlins or Tremors‘ (originally titled Land Sharks) affectionate nod to Jaws. Rather than parodying for easy laughs, the film reveres its influences, using them as a foundation to build an original and truly funny and entertaining story.
Also, unlike say the Scary Movie franchise, which often relied on cheap gags and tired pop culture references to mock anything and everything in sight, The Invisible Raptor takes a far more subtle and thoughtful approach to parody. Despite the abundance of Easter eggs—co-writer Wickham told us in an interview that if you think something is an Easter egg, then it most likely is—the film avoids becoming a mere gag reel. Instead, it cleverly pokes fun at genre tropes and conventions while still honoring the elements that made these films so beloved in the first place. Whether it’s a perfectly timed jump scare, a gory moment followed by a witty one-liner, or the way it subverts expectations, the film always feels like it’s in on the joke with the audience. Most importantly, it never overindulges in meta humor to the point of distraction. Every comedic moment feels organic and purposeful, enhancing our connection with the characters and story rather than just offering a nod and a wink to the camera.
The cast of The Invisible Raptor effortlessly balances this satire and homage too, bringing a playful energy that perfectly complements the film’s sharp script and direction. Leading the charge is Capes, who delivers a standout performance as Dr. Grant Walker, an Indiana Jones-esque character who plays the perfect straight man, setting up a brilliant contrast with Shackelford’s goofy, overeager sidekick, whose unhealthily excessive Rambo and Predator fixation adds a hilarious additional layer of non-Amblin references to the film. It’s also fantastic to see McHugh Stamos back on screen, fully embracing the humor—particularly in the deadpan moments she nails so well. This comes as no surprise, given that she was initially drawn to the project after being unable to contain herself when she first read the script. And finally, Martin is an absolute joy to watch as the town’s hilariously effervescent local chicken entrepreneur. Her portrayal blends the manic energy of the likes of Burt Gummer, Matt Hooper, Dr. Ian Malcolm, and Doc Brown, cackling maniacally one moment and providing pseudo-scientific explanations the next. With a cast this dialed-in and clearly having a blast, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the film’s giddy, goofy appeal.
The Invisible Raptor is a film that knows exactly what it wants to be and executes that vision with infectious enthusiasm and skill. Simultaneously celebratory and satirical, this is a loving homage to cinematic adventures of old, capturing that same sense of excitement, humor, and wide-eyed awe that made us fall in love with movies in the first place.
In a landscape dominated by bloated blockbusters and self-serious “elevated” genre fare, it’s so refreshing to be able to experience one of those rare B-movies that punches far above its weight class; one that provides some much-needed Amblin-esque entertainment at its most hilariously inventive.
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