When I think about classic horror films, one horror trope that is rarely used is the creativity of found footage movies. The tragedy has usually already taken place, and the main character is putting the pieces together about some mystery. “Shelby Oaks” is a film that centers around this very idea along with a blend of other paranormal horror tropes that keeps us guessing on the direction we are going as the woman on screen continues to look for her missing sister.
We follow the main character Mia Brennan, who has been looking for her missing sister Riley, for 12 years. While everyone else believes she is deceased, Mia uncovers the possible supernatural cause that took her sister from her. The story then unfolds through found footage that Mia finds of Riley and her friends’ old YouTube Channel, and various cassette tapes.
The concept of found footage in horror is definitely not new. The film does not waste time showing the audience that there is something much more complicated than haunted houses. “Shelby Oaks” stands out by incorporating multiple ideas into one movie such as childhood fears being real, demon worship, kidnapping, hauntings, etc. and tying it all together in one big bow.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the pacing of the film. It was straightforward with clues that watchers might have missed on the first viewing of certain tapes. Mia’s reactions to the tapes kept my attention and I was just as freaked out over the things that she was noticing at the same time. It raised the hair on the back of my neck, and the storyline just goes off the rails towards the end.
The cinematography was also done very well. The found footage films and shots had a purpose that always moved the story along. The way that the camera followed Mia made me believe that there had to be something else in the shots that I missed since this film is all about looking at scenery twice. With this whole film you must keep your eyes peeled and listen carefully, or you might miss something that can clue you to what is really happening and why certain characters make specific decisions.
I am used to found footage movies being way more adventurous when it comes to what kind of material is shown. If we compare “V/H/S” (2012) to “Shelby Oaks”, there is a considerable difference when it comes to the purpose that these tapes serve to the story. Instead of mini horror tapes that show gore and violence that serve crumbs of relevance that need to be pieced together like “V/H/S” portrays, Shelby Oaks displays shots that get right to the point and takes us through the “last” moments of Riley that do not require much more gore than is necessary.
Shelby Oaks is a fun watch if you want to see many horror aspects rolled up into one film. From childhood nightmares that turned out to be real to fertility issues, “Shelby Oaks” somehow found a way to tie multiple ideas together and make sense of it. The ending was insane, and the story did not leave me hanging with unanswered questions. Overall, I would give this film a solid 7/10.
