When the group walks up to her uncle's cabin, we see an owl with its eyes blurred out. The characters have a very strong and negative reaction upon seeing this. In many Native cultures an owl is a sign of coming evil. This was a natural reaction by the actors, who were given no notice or preparation before filming this scene, upon seeing the owl.
Another reference is made to Willow (1988) when Uncle Brownie sarcastically calls himself Madmartigan, a reference to the disgraced knight played by Val Kilmer.