Frogman (2024) and the Legend of the Loveland Frog
Horror cinema has long drawn inspiration from folklore, transforming whispered legends into chilling on-screen nightmares. In 2024, director Anthony Cousins breathed new life into the found footage subgenre with Frogman, a creature feature that revisits one of Ohio’s most enduring urban legends—the Loveland Frogman. By intertwining cryptid lore with modern horror storytelling, Frogman taps into both nostalgia and terror, leaving a lasting impression on audiences while bringing renewed attention to the myth that has haunted Loveland, Ohio, for decades.
The Movie: A Found Footage Cryptid Hunt
Set in the woods of Loveland, Ohio, Frogman follows Dallas Kyle (Nathan Tymoshuk), who, as a child, accidentally captured fleeting footage of a strange humanoid creature lurking near the water. Years later, Dallas, now an aspiring filmmaker, convinces his friends Scotty (Benny Barrett) and Amy (Chelsey Grant) to return to Loveland to prove the Frogman’s existence. Armed with a Hi-8 camera to maintain an authentic ‘90s home video aesthetic, the trio embarks on an expedition that quickly spirals into a nightmare. What begins as a nostalgic cryptid hunt evolves into an unrelenting descent into paranoia, blurred realities, and terrifying encounters with the unknown.
Cousins’ decision to use practical effects for the Frogman rather than relying solely on CGI has been widely praised. Special effects artists Ryan Schaddelee and Beki Ingram crafted a creature that embodies both the eerie and the absurd, capturing the essence of old-school monster movies while keeping the horror grounded. The film thrives on its ability to evoke dread through found footage’s signature realism, with shaky, unpolished camerawork immersing the audience in the characters’ escalating fear.
The Legend of the Loveland Frogman
The origins of the Loveland Frog legend date back to 1955, when a businessman claimed to have seen three bipedal, frog-like creatures standing on the side of a road near the Little Miami River. He described them as roughly four feet tall, with leathery skin and humanoid features. The legend gained further traction in 1972 when a Loveland police officer reported spotting a similar creature near a bridge. A second officer later shot at what he initially thought was the Frogman, only to discover it was a large iguana missing its tail—an anticlimactic explanation that did little to quell the town’s fascination with the myth.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the Loveland Frog has remained an iconic piece of Ohio folklore, inspiring books, local festivals, and now a feature-length horror film. Unlike other cryptid legends like Bigfoot or the Jersey Devil, the Loveland Frogman has an air of whimsy about it, often depicted in lighthearted or comedic contexts. However, Frogman (2024) shifts the tone, injecting genuine terror into the legend and reimagining it as something truly sinister lurking in the Ohio wilderness.
The Impact on Loveland, Ohio
For a small town, having a cryptid legend can be both a point of pride and a source of intrigue-driven tourism. Loveland has embraced its amphibious mascot, with local businesses selling Frogman-themed merchandise, and the legend serving as inspiration for local events and creative projects. While skeptics dismiss the Frogman as a mix of exaggeration and mistaken identity, believers continue to share stories of strange encounters along the riverbanks.
With Frogman (2024) putting the legend back in the spotlight, Loveland has seen renewed interest in its famous cryptid. Horror fans and cryptid hunters alike have flocked to the town, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive creature or simply soak in the eerie atmosphere that inspired the film. Whether fact or fiction, the Loveland Frogman remains a fascinating part of Ohio’s paranormal history, now immortalized in a horror film that dares to ask: What if the legend was real?