"Shelby Oaks" offers an Engaging, Frightening Take on the Genre of Footage-Discovered Films
In the upcoming horror film, "Shelby Oaks," director Chris Stuckmann masterfully crafts a chilling mystery that keeps audiences on edge. The film, which had its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025 and will open in theaters on October 24, is Stuckmann's feature debut.
The story centres on Mia, a woman searching for her missing sister Riley, who was part of a four-person paranormal hunting YouTube team who all went missing. The film starts in both found footage and faux documentary styles, with the first act from the perspective of the documentary's director.
As the narrative unfolds, the perspective flips between faux documentary, found footage, and traditional narrative styles. The transition from found footage to a traditional narrative is a little awkward but ultimately works. After the change, the film becomes a normal film where the characters aren't aware of a camera.
Stuckmann employs various techniques to maintain the suspense. Jump scares, characters noticing things in footage reflections, and lingering on certain objects for longer periods are just a few examples. The film builds an intriguing, creepy mystery before transitioning to a traditional narrative film.
However, the film does take some leaps of faith and messy transitions. There are a few overly coincidental incidents, but the script finds a way to pay them off effectively by the end. Despite these minor flaws, "Shelby Oaks" delivers a satisfying result by the end, making it a worthwhile watch for horror fans.
"Shelby Oaks" is inspired by numerous horror films from the past and borrows from them freely, focusing on being cool and scary. If you're a fan of horror films that prioritise creating a scary mystery and providing potentially terrifying answers, "Shelby Oaks" is a film you won't want to miss.
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