In the movie "Antlers," the term "antlers" refers to the bony, branching structures found on the heads of male deer. In the film, the story revolves around a young boy who has a connection to a supernatural creature, which is linked to Native American folklore. The creature itself is not a typical deer but is related to the Wendigo legend, representing a transformation and a connection to nature's darker aspects. Thus, while deer have antlers, the film uses the concept metaphorically to explore deeper themes.

In the movie "Antlers," the creature is a Wendigo, a mythical being from Algonquian folklore. The Wendigo is often depicted as a malevolent spirit associated with winter, famine, and greed, capable of possessing humans and driving them to madness and cannibalism. In the film, the creature embodies the consequences of trauma and the dark side of human nature, reflecting themes of abuse and desperation. Its presence serves as a manifestation of the characters' struggles and the impact of their environment.

Antlers are bony structures that grow on the heads of male deer and some other members of the Cervidae family. They are made of bone and are typically shed and regrown annually. Antlers begin to grow in the spring and are covered in a soft, vascular tissue called velvet, which supplies nutrients. By late summer or early fall, the antlers harden and the velvet is shed. Antlers serve various purposes, including attracting mates during the breeding season and establishing dominance among males. Unlike horns, antlers are not permanent and are replaced each year.

Antlers and horns are both types of growths found on the heads of certain animals, but they differ in structure and function. Antlers are made of bone and are typically found on male deer and related species. They are shed and regrown annually. In contrast, horns are made of keratin (the same material as human hair and nails) and are permanent structures found on animals like cows and goats. Horns do not shed and grow continuously throughout the animal's life. This distinction in composition and growth patterns is the primary reason antlers are not considered horns.