Kaniehtiio Horn has made a name for herself with notable supporting roles across various media, including the film Alice, Darling, the hit TV series Letterkenny, and the video game Assassin’s Creed III. A major advocate for Aboriginal and Indigenous representation in media, Horn’s commitment to this cause is evident in almost every project she’s involved in. Now, she makes her directorial and screenwriting debut with Seeds, a campy revenge film premiering at TIFF 2024. The film highlights the importance of Kanienʼkehá(Mohawk) food traditions passed down through generations, with Horn also starring in the lead role.
In Seeds, Horn plays Ziggy, a Toronto-based bike courier and aspiring influencer. Just as she lands a new client—a seed and fertilizer company called Nature’s Oath—and begins creating content for them, she’s called back to her community to house-sit for her aunt. Ziggy’s cousin, played by Dallas Goldtooth (Reservation Dogs), offers her some advice: be wary of the seed company and the strange occurrences around their aunt’s house. As a shadowy figure starts following her, Ziggy must protect herself and her aunt’s cache of seeds.
The cinematography in Seeds is breathtaking, with sun-drenched shots reminiscent of those in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film features dream sequences where Ziggy envisions her ancestors farming—these scenes are beautifully rendered, vividly focusing on the people and the food they harvested.
Much of the film employs close-ups and high-angle shots, effectively maintaining the pace during scenes of Ziggy packing or unpacking. These close-ups also heighten the tension in the second half of the film. The last 10 minutes are especially powerful, delivering a primal and visceral experience that serves as a profound representation of the history and resilience of Aboriginal peoples. The payoff at the film’s conclusion is immensely satisfying, though a longer resolution might have been welcomed. The ending leaves the audience with a sense of what Ziggy might do next—perhaps even setting the stage for a potential sequel.
The score for Seeds makes striking use of the harpsichord or organ during its most thrilling moments, effectively signalling when the pace of the story is about to intensify. When Ziggy dreams of being with her ancestors in the fields, the soundtrack shifts to a slow, melodic drumbeat, mixed with an instrument resembling a rainstick gently turned to match the drum’s tempo. This combination evokes a perfect sense of peace within the dream yet carries subtle, ominous undertones.
“Seeds’ score had some major use of the harpsichord or organ for its thrilling beats, a great way to help depict that the pace of the story was about to pick up.”
The movie’s comedy provides a nice contrast to the thriller aspects, particularly during moments reminiscent of John Wick. Horn and Dallas Goldtooth play off each other exceptionally well, blending in some rare foul-mouthed humour from Canadian legend Graham Greene, who appears to Ziggy in her dreams. Interestingly, the film also incorporates rom-com elements, especially in scenes where Horn acts opposite Meegwun Fairbrother (Avatar: The Last Airbender), who plays Ziggy’s old flame from her hometown.
Horn shines as the lead, skillfully balancing her character’s dual nature as a fun social media influencer and a grounded hometown “rez” girl. Her portrayal of Ziggy as a successful influencer is spot-on, with the character being celebrated not just as an Indigenous content creator but for who she is as a person—not simply for her identity.
Another compelling aspect of the plot is its empowerment of women, particularly Indigenous women. Ziggy is portrayed as a strong role model who embraces change, respects tradition, and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Everyone on the rez refers to her as a badass woman with a great shot, and the storytelling reinforces this image. In some films, when supporting characters hype up the protagonist, it can lead to a lacklustre payoff, but that’s not the case here.
For fans of Horn’s character Tanis from Letterkenny, her portrayal in Seeds will not disappoint. Horn excels at playing strong female leads, a trait evident in both Letterkenny and Seeds. While the film is deeply influenced by Horn and the Kanienʼkehápeople, its themes and emotional beats are universally relatable. It’s a classic coming-home story, infused with some bloody shock value, that never overstays its welcome.
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