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The Son of Bigfoot (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Son of Bigfoot (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 92 mins · English
Directed by
Ben Stassen, Jérémie Degruson
Starring
Michael Sorich, Joe Ochman, Debi Derryberry, Laila Berzins, David Epstein, Kyle Hebert

A teenage outcast named Adam embarks on a thrilling journey to discover the truth about his missing father. His quest leads him to an astonishing revelation: his dad is the legendary Bigfoot, who has been living in hiding to safeguard his family from HairCo., a corporation seeking to exploit his unique DNA. As Adam and Bigfoot reconnect and Adam develops unexpected abilities, they must evade HairCo.'s relentless pursuit, which now focuses on Adam after he reveals Bigfoot’s location.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (12)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Son of Bigfoot
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Son of Bigfoot (2017)

Where can you watch The Son of Bigfoot? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Pluto TV and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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12 main characters · contains spoilers

The Son of Bigfoot Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Son of Bigfoot (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Adam Harrison (Pappy Faulkner)

    A bullied but kind-hearted teen who discovers he inherits extraordinary powers from his father. He develops superhuman feet, enhanced hearing and vision, healing abilities, and the ability to converse with animals. He embarks on a quest to find his father and confront HairCo., growing into his identity along the way.

    • 👤 Protagonist
  • Bigfoot / Dr. Harrison (Christopher Lee Parson)

    A protective, intelligent father who has hidden in the forest to shield his family from Eastman's experiments. He reveals Adam's heritage and mentors him in understanding and controlling his powers. His courage and loyalty anchor the family as they resist HairCo.'s plans.

    • 🐾 Bigfoot
  • Shelly Harrison (Marieve Herington)

    Adam's mother, a protective and resourceful figure who keeps the family together after Dr. Harrison's disappearance. She pursues the danger posed by Eastman, subdues guards when needed, and drives the family’s resolve to escape and survive.

    • 🏡 Mother
  • Wallace Eastman

    played by Terrence Stone

    The ruthless HairCo. CEO who wants to exploit DNA to expand his power. He captures Shelly and relentlessly pursues Bigfoot, willing to cross ethical lines to achieve his goals. His calculated schemes propel the central conflict of the story.

    • 💼 CEO
  • Wilbur

    played by Michael Sorich

    A wise, talking bear who befriends Adam and helps navigate the forest. Loyal to his family and quick to offer guidance, Wilbur plays a crucial role in supporting Adam's quest and resilience.

    • 🐻 Companion
  • Trapper

    played by Joe Ochman

    A clever raccoon who becomes part of the forest network aiding the family. Quick-witted and dependable, he helps connect Adam with the animals and scenes of action.

    • 🦝 Ally
  • Tina

    played by Sandy Fox

    A red squirrel who communicates with Adam and assists in the forest’s efforts. Playful and observant, she adds a vital connection to the woodland community.

    • 🐿 Ally
  • Steve

    played by Joe J. Thomas

    A woodpecker who acts as a messenger and scout, aiding Adam and the animal coalition with information and timing during the escape and final confrontation.

    • 🐦 Ally
  • Weecha

    played by Laila Berzins

    Bigfoot's mate and part of the forest family, Weecha communicates with Adam and shares a protective role within their animal household.

    • 🕊 Family ally
  • Fat Dan

    played by George Babbit

    A truck driver who nearly runs over Adam and later captures footage of the Bigfoot sighting, helping bring public attention to HairCo.'s activities.

    • 🚚 Driver
  • Garcia

    played by Barrie D. Buckner Jr.

    One of Eastman's goons who participates in the forest search and intimidation, representing the threat of Eastman's plans.

    • 😡 Antagonist
  • Dale

    played by Nicholas Marj

    One of Adam's school bullies who embodies the cruelty Adam confronts. By the end, Adam stands up to him with courage and the forest friends' help.

    • 🤬 Bully

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:43

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Setting

Where and When Does The Son of Bigfoot Take Place?

The setting of The Son of Bigfoot (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Modern day

The events occur in contemporary times, roughly a dozen years after Dr. Harrison disappeared. The narrative moves between everyday city life in Portland and a secret laboratory, highlighting a clash between familial values and corporate ambition. The passage of time accompanies Adam's awakening powers and his resolve to protect his family.

Location

Portland, Oregon, HairCo. facility, forest

The story unfolds in Portland, Oregon, blending a modern urban environment with a dense Pacific Northwest forest on its outskirts. The forest serves as Bigfoot's hidden home and Adam's training ground, while HairCo.'s high-tech facility sits at the forest's edge. The setting contrasts city life with wilderness, fueling the adventure and tension of the plot.

  • 🏙 City setting
  • 🌲 Forest backdrop
  • 🏭 Corporate lab

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:43

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3 major themes

The Son of Bigfoot Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Son of Bigfoot (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Family

    Adam's discovery that his father is alive creates a new sense of family and belonging. Shelly and Bigfoot become guardians who support Adam as he learns to control his powers. The animal companions and the forest community reinforce loyalty, resilience, and the idea that family can extend beyond blood.

  • Exploitation

    HairCo. epitomizes corporate greed, pursuing DNA for profit without regard for ethical boundaries. Eastman's plans to weaponize or commercialize genetic material drive the conflict, showing how science can be misused when profit takes precedence over people. The story critiques the cost of unchecked ambition.

  • Animal Bond

    Adam's ability to communicate with animals deepens his connection to the forest and becomes a key resource in his quest. The animals—Tina, Trapper, Weecha, Wilbur, and Steve—act as allies, guides, and moral supports. This bond with nature highlights empathy, cooperation, and interspecies friendship.

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:43

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Character & theme questions

The Son of Bigfoot Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Son of Bigfoot (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Son of Bigfoot set?

The movie takes place primarily in Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding Pacific Northwest forest. This setting creates a clear contrast between modern urban life and the hidden wilderness where Bigfoot lives. The HairCo. facility is located at the edge of the forest, adding to the tension between corporate world and nature.

  • portland
  • oregon
  • setting
  • forest
  • pacific northwest
Q2

When does The Son of Bigfoot take place?

The story is set in modern day, roughly a dozen years after Adam's father, Dr. Harrison, disappeared and went into hiding. The contemporary setting emphasizes the clash between everyday family life in the city and the high-tech corporate threat from HairCo.

  • modern
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • year
Q3

What are the main themes in The Son of Bigfoot?

The film explores three core themes: Family - Adam's journey to reconnect with his father and find belonging; Exploitation - the critique of corporate greed as HairCo. seeks to profit from genetic research without ethics; and Animal Bond - the connection between humans and nature through Adam's ability to communicate with forest animals.

  • themes
  • family
  • exploitation
  • animal bond
  • meaning
Q4

Why is Bigfoot in hiding in the movie?

Bigfoot, whose real name is Dr. Harrison, hid in the forest to protect his family from Wallace Eastman, the CEO of HairCo. Eastman wanted to exploit Bigfoot's unique DNA for profit and potentially weaponize it. By disappearing, Dr. Harrison hoped to keep his wife Shelly and son Adam safe from his experiments.

  • bigfoot
  • dr harrison
  • hide
  • Eastman
  • hairco
  • reason
Q5

What is HairCo in The Son of Bigfoot?

HairCo. is the corrupt corporation led by Wallace Eastman that serves as the film's main antagonist. The company specializes in genetic research and seeks to capture Bigfoot to extract and commercialize his DNA. Eastman represents unchecked corporate ambition willing to violate ethical boundaries for profit.

  • hairco
  • corporation
  • eastman
  • villain
  • company
Q6

What abilities does Adam develop in The Son of Bigfoot?

Adam discovers he has inherited supernatural abilities from his father Bigfoot, including superhuman feet for running and jumping, enhanced hearing and vision, healing abilities, and the unique power to communicate with animals. These powers emerge as he begins his journey to find his missing father.

  • adam
  • powers
  • abilities
  • superhuman
  • talking to animals
Q7

What animal characters help Adam in the movie?

Adam befriends several talking forest animals who become his allies: Wilbur (a wise bear), Trapper (a clever raccoon), Tina (a observant red squirrel), Steve (a woodpecker messenger), and Weecha (Bigfoot's mate). These characters provide guidance, support, and assistance throughout his quest.

  • animals
  • wilbur
  • trapper
  • tina
  • steve
  • weecha
  • forest friends
Q8

Who is Shelly Harrison in The Son of Bigfoot?

Shelly Harrison is Adam's mother, played by Marieve Herington. After her husband's disappearance, she raised Adam alone while pursuing answers about his whereabouts. She is a resourceful and protective figure who joins the fight against HairCo., even subduing guards when necessary to protect her family.

  • shelly
  • harrison
  • mother
  • family
  • adam's mom
Q9

Who is Wallace Eastman in The Son of Bigfoot?

Wallace Eastman is the CEO of HairCo. and the film's primary antagonist, portrayed by Terrence Stone. He is a ruthless businessman determined to capture Bigfoot and exploit his DNA for commercial gain. His relentless pursuit of the family drives much of the conflict in the story.

  • wallace
  • eastman
  • hairco
  • ceo
  • villain
  • antagonist
Q10

What is the tone and style of The Son of Bigfoot?

The Son of Bigfoot is a light, hopeful family comedy with adventurous elements. Despite the real threat from HairCo., the film maintains a whimsical tone through talking animals and Adam's joyful discovery of his powers. The overall tone balances suspense with humor, resulting in an unambiguously happy ending.

  • tone
  • style
  • comedy
  • family
  • happy
  • whimsical
Q11

What is Bigfoot's real name in The Son of Bigfoot?

Bigfoot's real name is Dr. Harrison, also known as Christopher Lee Parson in the human world. He is Adam's father who has been living secretly in the forest for about twelve years to protect his family from HairCo.'s exploitation.

  • bigfoot
  • dr harrison
  • christopher lee parson
  • real name
  • identity

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Son of Bigfoot, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Son of Bigfoot tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with father-son adventure quests like The Son of Bigfoot

Lighthearted animated adventures about reconnecting with an extraordinary parent. Discover movies like The Son of Bigfoot that feature a child's journey to find their father. These films are perfect for those seeking similar family-friendly animated adventures with themes of reconnection, self-discovery, and thrilling escapades shared between a parent and child.

  • heartwarming
  • adventurous
  • uplifting
  • playful
  • tense
  • quest
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting
  • Pacing: fast, eventful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a child protagonist feeling like an outcast or missing a parent. A discovery prompts a quest that reveals the parent has a secret life or extraordinary abilities. The core of the story involves the child and parent reconnecting, facing a common threat, and strengthening their bond through a series of exciting chases and escapes.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific narrative arc focused on parent-child reconciliation through action and discovery. They maintain a hopeful, uplifting tone with light emotional weight, balancing family-friendly comedy with medium-intensity adventure sequences that never become too scary.

Movies about teen superpower discovery like The Son of Bigfoot

Energetic stories of teens embracing newfound abilities while evading capture. If you liked The Son of Bigfoot, explore movies featuring a teenager who discovers hidden powers and must learn to control them. These similar animated comedies combine lighthearted coming-of-age stories with fast-paced action as the young hero evades those who wish to exploit their abilities.

  • playful
  • quirky
  • tense
  • uplifting
  • coming of age
  • superpowers
  • Tone: hopeful, playful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story centers on a teenage protagonist who feels like an outsider. They suddenly manifest superhuman abilities, often inherited from a parent, which leads to a mix of playful experimentation and a urgent need to hide from a pursuing organization. The journey is about gaining confidence and using their unique traits to outsmart cartoonish antagonists.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their core premise: a teen's exhilarating discovery of powers within a fast-paced, comedic framework. They share a light emotional core, a hopeful tone about embracing one's identity, and a balance between quirky character moments and tense (but not scary) chase sequences.

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Movies Like The Son of Bigfoot

Similar movies to The Son of Bigfoot: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Son of Bigfoot (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Son of Bigfoot in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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