Dive into Tusk The Movie - Complete Plot Summary, Actor Insights, and Reviews!

What is the movie Tusk about? Is the movie Tusk based on a true story? Well, do you have these questions in your mind? Let's dissect them in this Tusk movie summary. Tusk is a horror film that was composed and directed by Kelvin Smith in 2014. This movie explores a scenario from his SModcast, though the house ad was a prank that resulted in terrifying movie scenes.

This movie was released in September 2014. Tusk the movie is a comedy and horror type of genre. Are you intrigued to explore more about this film? Read this Tusk 2014 summary and acquire factual concepts about the scenes. In case you need to review other movies like this, consider our movie review writing service.

Tusk Movie Timelines

Let’s take a sneak peek behind the scenes to see how Tusk the movie was made:

• Tusk the Movie preproduction began in September 2013, photography on 4^th Nov 2013, and ended on 22^nd
• Filming took place in November in North Carolina and Los Angeles (for scenes involving GuyLaPointe)
• Released on 6^th Sept 2014 at Toronto International Film Festival

Tusk Movie Cast

• Michael Parks (Howard Howe) plays a mysterious and disturbing role in the film.
• Justin Long (Wallace Bryton) is a central character in the movie. Wallace and Teddy get entangled in a series of events in the film.
• Genesis Rodriguez (Ally Leon) is connected to Wallace. He becomes of great help in tracing Wallace when he goes missing.
• Haley Joel Osment (Teddy Craft) is Wallace's friend and podcast partner.
• Johnny Dep (Guy LaPointe) was a detective who helped search for Wallace.
• Matthew Shively (Young Howard Howe) is the young version of Howard Howe. The Flashbacks featuring Howard Howe gives us insights into the character's dark past.
• Harley Morenstein is the border agent in the film. He was also involved in the investigations of Wallace's disappearance.
• Ralph Garman is a detective who helped unravel the mysteries around Wallace's disappearance case.
• Harley Quinn Smith (Smith and Depp's daughter) plays the role of Colleen McKenzie, one of the two main characters. He is a store clerk and best friend to Colleen Collette.
• Jennifer Schwalbach Smith (Smith's wife) is Harley Quinn's mother. She appears in the movie during the convenience store scenes.

The above is the Tusk movie cast. Do you need a Tusk movie review to understand the characters’ roles? Contact our writers for a credible film review writing service. Also, consider gathering tips from our top-notch article on how to write a movie review.

Tusk Movie Plot

This film starts with two friends, Wallace and Teddy. These guys were hosting a podcast called Not-See Party. Their podcast collects viral and trending videos and makes fun of them. This platform is doing well and has a lot of followers.

They have featured many funny videos, like the Canadian boy who accidentally cut his leg when showing a stunt. Wallace and Teddy named this boy the Kill Bill Kid. Wallace travels to Canada to interview the kid, get more content for his podcast, and make fun. On arrival in Canada, Wallace found that the boy had committed suicide after his video went viral and got trolled online.

Wallace was sad and felt wasted for traveling and getting nothing. He goes to a pub and runs into a flier with an advert of an older man offering rent-free room and meals if anyone agrees to dress like a walrus and listen to his stories. This older man was a former sailor and had a lot of stories to tell before he died. Wallace got excited about this opportunity to gather more content for his podcast.

He sought directions to the older man's (Howard) house. The man welcomes him into his secluded home full of bizarre goods. Howard was in a wheelchair; he welcomed Wallace with a mug of coffee. Howard was living a dark life that involved a walrus. So, he wanted to lure someone into his house and fulfill his dirty mission (that’s why he acted helpless in a wheelchair).

Howard narrates how he traveled on a ship to find a white shark in Siberia. The vessel got into an accident and started sinking, and everyone on board died except him. Howard swam to a small island and met a walrus that helped him. At this moment, Wallace realized his coffee was spiked with secobarbital after feeling unstable and later fainted.

After Wallace gained consciousness, he couldn't feel his leg and noticed he was amputated. Howard tries to trick him that a poisonous insect bit him, and that's why his leg was cut to prevent the venom from spreading to his heart. Wallace could feel the reality was different, and something was off.

Later in the night, Wallace expressed disappointment with the unsuitable experience he hadn’t expected. Howard slaps him and reveals a plan. He says he has a walrus-shaped suit made from human skin and could fit Wallace’s body. Howard planned to transform Wallace into a Walrus (by cutting all his body parts).

In another scene, we see Teddy flirting with Alley and giving her sympathy for Wallace. It has been days, and Alley can't reach Wallace on the phone. Coincidentally, Wallace gets a chance to send a voice message to Alley describing his condition and location. Howard comes shortly, hits his head with a stick, and threatens him that he must become a walrus if he wishes to live.

Alley and Teddy reported the matter to Canadian police, who took the matter lightly at first. After some time, the police get convinced and open an FIR for Wallace as a missing person.

On the other hand, Howard completes his mission of converting Wallace into a walrus. He has removed his legs, hands, and tongue and is swinging his skin with a walrus suit. Also, he fixed two tusks of leg bone.

By now, this cruel older man has managed to change Wallace physically into a walrus. He was his savior, Mr. Tusk. He was on another mission of transforming Wallace mentally. He starts feeding Wallace raw fish and imagines them being on the island like in his story, though Wallace can't relate.

In different scenes, Teddy, Alley, and officers intensify the search for Wallace. A border agent, Guy LaPointe, had heard about the serial killer Howard and planned how they would search Wallace there. On their way to Howard's place, they traced Wallace's car near the lake.

In another scene, Howard suggests that they should fight until one dies. Wallace manages to kill Howard. By this time, Alley, Teddy, and Guy arrive in the house to save Wallace but are stunned when he turns into an animal.

A year later, Wallace is sent to an animal sanctuary for a while. Ally and Teddy keep visiting him with mackerel. Ally remembers her talk with Wallace before he left for Canada, "crying separates humans from animals because it shows they have a soul." Alley tells Wallace that he loves him, and Wallace can't hold back his tears, meaning his human part is still there.

I believe you have gathered the main details of Tusk movie true story from our Tusk summary. You can always seek our summary/review writing services. For instance, we offer A Clockwork Orange summary.

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Special Tusk Actors

Tusk the Movie Theme

Humanity

Humanity is the central theme in this film, but it is in an animalistic context. To understand the theme better, consider these questions: Is man a walrus? Take walrus to be an animal, and ask, is man an animal? Wallace indeed portrayed an inhumane character.

The name of the walrus, Mr. Tusk, was made to be a caring creature like Howard Howe met on the island. But, in contrast, the walrus, who was Wallace a human, has changed to a beast.

Before Wallace goes to Canada, we experience his inhumane personality. He mocks the impaired boy on his podcast channel, which traumatized him, leading to death. After all this damage, Wallace plans to travel and interview the boy for more content for his selfish gains. So, he didn't care what led to the boy's decisions and the impact it could have on his life.

Howard also helps in the development of this theme of inhumanity. Though he may be punishing Wallace for his actions, it's wrong to torture humans that way. Howe could have thought of better ways of teaching him the importance of humanity.

When Wallace is transformed into a walrus, Alley tests him. We notice him crying, showing he still has some humanity. Though he is Mr. Tusk, he has a soft spot for him. So, it’s true that animals show humanity in this film, unlike humans.

There are so many scenes of crying for walrus, the character. However, as an animal, a walrus could be crying to get sympathy from humans for food. But in the end, Wallace the walrus could be crying after learning the kind of animal he has turned into and has always been to others. So, the film shows us the selfish, inward, and animalistic Wallace's character. So, his character as a walrus symbolizes his actual human behavior towards others.

Nature vs. Technology

This film's events depict two lifestyles between Howard and Wallace.

• Howard's lifestyle is off the grid and relies on hunting and manual labor. He represents a deep connection with nature. His obsession with walrus emphasizes the lines between humans and animals.
• Wallace, on the other hand, relies on technology. He has a podcast and an online persona. His world revolves around the digital world, though this is cut short when he is captured. He gets to appreciate the tangible world around him.

Obsession

This theme is portrayed through Howard’s behavior. He kidnaps Wallace to fulfill his desperate desire for connection. However, his obsession is wrong because it harms others. He believes that his walrus is the only way to escape his loneliness. So, his actions are signs of unhealthy obsession.

Another instance of obsession is Wallace's addiction to his podcast stories. He likes sharing jokes on his platform and constantly searches for others. His obsession made him overlook red flags and lead him to danger.

Symbolism

• The ocean surrounding Bifrost symbolizes the depths of the unknown and unconscious mind.
• The ocean also mirrors the theme of isolation. Howard's isolated home on water shows separation from society and his fantasy world. Wallace's transformation makes him an outsider, existing between human and animal worlds.
• The butcher knife symbolizes violent tendencies and willingness to inflict pain on others. It also represents negative aspects of human behavior and the potential for brutality.
• Hunting gear gives a meaning of survival. Howards represents
• Teeth – These are recurring motifs in the movie, representing power, aggression, and potential violence.

What’s the Setting of Tusk the Movie?

The primary setting of this film is Bifrost, Canada. Other settings of this movie are California and Los Angeles. The settings can be broken down as follows:

• Bifrost: A small isolated town that serves as the primary backdrop of the movie. It’s a place where Wallace travels to interview “Kill Bill Kid.” Wallace later meets Howard Howe, the retired sailor, with a strange fascination.

 A scene of horror events takes place in this town. The Howe’s mansion is located outside Bifrost. The mansion is decaying and becomes the captivity and transformation site for Wallace.

• Los Angeles: It's where the main protagonist comes from. We experience life in LA at the beginning of this film.
• California: Kelvin Smith, the movie's director, is originally from California. He often includes some references to his home in this work. Indirectly, he has influenced the filmmaking style and humor.

That’s our detailed synopsis of Tusk the Movie. If you have any questions regarding this film, don’t hesitate to enquire from our experts. They will handle all your queries and offer movie review insights. For detailed concepts on film synopsis, check more tricks on how to write a film synopsis.

 What Type of Genre is Tusk the Movie?

Tusk movie belongs to a body horror comedy film. A body horror or biological horror is a subgenre of horrors that presents psychologically disturbing scenes that violate the human body or other creatures.

In this Tusk 2014 movie, Howard cruelly cuts Wallace's body parts, hands, legs, and tongue to transform him into a walrus. Also, we witnessed a Canadian boy who cut his leg and later committed suicide after cyberbullying.

This movie is a tale of an arrogant podcaster abducted by a serial killer and converted into a walrus. Wallace is inhumane because he makes fun of a boy who cuts his leg. He commented that this boy possibly didn’t need his leg. This video became viral, and the kid was trolled until he lost his dignity and ended his life.

As if that was not enough, Wallace planned to visit the boy to interview him to get more content for his platform. His main intentions were to continue making more stories for his website and platform. He feels sad for wasting his time traveling all the way but not for the boy.

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Why Did Howard Fight with Wallace in a Walrus’s Skin? 

Howard wanted Wallace to reach 100% metamorphosis into a Walrus. He challenged Wallace, saying that for him to survive, he must be a walrus, meaning he must kill Howard for his safety. So, Wallace has to transcend his human nature and accept his new identity as a tusked walrus.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Tusk a True Story?

Yes, Tusk the movie is based on the true story of Gregory Marr. He is a man who sought a tenant and someone willing to dress and act like a walrus. He shared his interest in an advert that made Wallace visit him.

2. How Did the Tusk Idea Come Up?

The Tusk idea came during Kevin Smith's conversation with Scott on their podcast. The two were discussing a similar advert of Marr’s they had read.

3. What Reception Did the Tusk Movie Receive?

This film received a mixed review from the audience. Some praised it for its unique horror and comedy. Other people thought the movie was bizarre and repulsive.

4. What Themes Were Explored in the Tusk Movie True Story?

Themes in this movie include:

• Humanity
• Obsession
• Symbolism
• Nature vs. technology

5. Where Can You Watch the Tusk Movie?

You can stream or purchase the Tusk movie on Google Play, Vudu, iTunes, and Amazon.

6. Is Tusk the Movie a Film or a Comedy?

Tusk is a film with a blend of horror and comedy. It applies the elements of both genres that elicit fear and laughter.

To Wrap Up

Tusk, the movie, grew from a real-life podcast joke. They got the movie idea during a discussion between director Kevin and his friend Scott on their weekly show SModcast. They found this cryptic ad that a homeowner offered a rent-free room if the tenant agreed to dress up like a walrus. 

So, these two guys asked their Twitter followers if they wanted to see this script turn into Kelvin’s masterpiece. Kelvin Smith had no idea that the ad was a prank, and that's how he fell into Howard’s trap.

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