As a habitat for unusual creatures, North America’s forests are perhaps best known for Bigfoot sightings, but German-born writer-director Fritz Bohm’s Wildling may be ready to give old Sasquatch a run for his money. Whether representing an unsettling allegory of adolescence or a fortuitous convergence of contemporary social issues, IFC Midnight’s April release will provide a new perspective on themes of female empowerment before carving out a unique niche in home-entertainment formats.

The Brothers Grimm, Roald Dahl and other dark fairytale and fantasy sources cast a long and benevolent shadow over Wildling, co-written by Bohm and Florian Eder (who also...