Each time topics need to take pictures at critics, variations of the identical quote are lobbed like a grenade: “Those that can, do. Those that cannot, criticize.” Chris Stuckmann‘s atmospheric horror debut Shelby Oaks is the newest instance to deflect that counterattack as the favored YouTube movie critic turns professional filmmaker. Style auteur Mike Flanagan lends his mentorship with an government producer credit score, however that is and at all times stays Stuckmann’s challenge by imaginative and prescient and tone. An formidable mix of subgenres tinkers with every thing from investigative procedurals to found-footage faux-docs, binding collectively as a substitute of falling aside. Whereas the story can get a bit misplaced within the movie’s hybridized sauce, it is nonetheless an exhilarating discovered footage remix of every thing from The Blair Witch Undertaking to Horror within the Excessive Desert and Lake Mungo.

Shelby Oaks (2024)

Shelby Oaks follows a magical investigator who uncovers terrifying secrets and techniques whereas trying to find her lacking sister. Set in a small city with a darkish previous, the movie explores the boundaries between actuality and the supernatural.

Launch Date

July 20, 2024

Director

chris stuckmann

Forged

camille sullivan , Brendan Sexton III , Michael Seashore , Robin Bartlett , Keith David , Charlie Talbert , Emily Bennett , Sarah Durn

Runtime

102 Minutes

Writers

chris stuckmann , Sam Liz

Studio(s)

Paper Avenue Photos

Increase

What Is ‘Shelby Oaks’ About?

Stuckmann sticks to what’s acquainted in Shelby Oaks: a lacking crew of ghost-hunting vloggers referred to as “The Paranormal Paranoids.” Displays start as a documentary-style recounting of the squad’s final recognized whereabouts, specializing in the present’s nonetheless MIA host, Riley (Sarah Durn). Riley’s sister Mia (Camille Sullivan) is closely featured as a speaking head, unable to just accept that her cherished one is deceased regardless of discouraging phrases from native officers like Detective Burke (Michael Seashore). Mia grows sick of listening to specialists recycle grave statistics, so she takes issues into her personal palms. Stuckmann abruptly adjustments focus and lets his hero protagonist comply with Riley’s digital breadcrumbs to the eerie Ohio territory of Shelby Oaks, ditching the crime-doc idea earlier than it dulls.

In truth, Shelby Oaks offers me what the Horror within the Excessive Desert franchise is lacking. All credit score to Dutch Marich for constructing an viewers for his low-budget (to this point) trilogy, they simply concentrate on interviews too lengthy earlier than granting us discovered footage goodness. Stuckmann frontloads Shelby Oaks with troubled regulation enforcers, grieving members of the family, and different pundits who touch upon what befell Riley’s Paranormal Paranoids — however earlier than lengthy, we’re watching Mia’s solo efforts to rescue her sister. It’s extremely Hell Home LLC in that horrific sequences permeate all the expertise — it is by no means a conversational overload.

Cinematographer Andrew Scott Baird collaborates with Stuckmann to raise conventional third-person visuals. As soon as Mia begins chasing morbid clues by Shelby Oaks’ deserted forests or paranormal landmarks like derelict prisons, Baird accentuates saturating darkness with out blotting the display screen. Pictures vividly interprets dread and sullen desperation above the usual depictions of “horror film timber” that populate common backwoods style flicks. Stuckmann’s manufacturing crew solely has just a few cabins, amusement park websites, and black-mold-infested houses to embellish, however Baird’s framing of places highlights this overwhelming sensation of evil regardless of barren structure. Stuckmann’s years devouring horror films as a critic show precious since he clearly understands the feel and appear of a correct style nightmare, little question aided by Flanagan’s veteran steerage.

‘Shelby Oaks’ Is a Horror Film That Takes a Shocking Flip

There is a pivot level in Shelby Oaks that made me gasp aloud, and I am keen on how the expertise evolves, however Stuckmann’s third act will divide audiences. Based mostly on my impending score, it isn’t a plummet — or, for my part, it isn’t a plummet. The predictability of Mia’s wild goose chase is overshadowed by stellar performances, the above-mentioned vibes, and Stuckmann’s thematic confidence. That stated, the movie’s closing minutes are surprisingly blunt and quite traceable. Influences vary from Zodiac to Barbarian as Shelby Oaks as soon as once more reinforces Stuckmann’s huge information of terrifying titles, but it is extra of a hodgepodge as inspirations conflict together with his authentic storytelling. I am unable to say a lot else as a result of we do not spoil competition films round these components, however Stuckmann’s climax and conclusion present some weaknesses.

Camille Sullivan stands out as Mia pours over proof footage and places herself in hurt’s method whereas trying to find long-lost Riley. Veteran presences like Michael Seashore as an experience-washed detective and Keith David as a haunted jail warden assist anchor scenes, however they’re simply further help. Whether or not Mia’s caught in a dramatic argument with Brendan Sexton III’s worrisome husband Robert, or following furry creatures into nowhere beneath the lifeless of evening, Sullivan at all times summons the suitable response. Mia is outlined by her tenacity and selflessness, a broken-hearted lady who refuses to just accept Riley’s passing, and Sullivan offers her all to nail the whirlwind of feelings that bluster by scenes. Selection moments really feel linked to Flanagan’s harrowing indie debut Absentia, a movie powered by heartache and propelled by despair that any indie creator could be fortunate to copycat.

Shelby Oaks is a commendable first displaying for Stuckmann as a filmmaker. Don’t anticipate the second coming — few films are. Stuckmmann funnels a profession of on-line criticism right into a sisterly nightmare that confirms he is been studying from each evaluate dialogue. It is chilling, well-performed, and bolstered by a wealthy, folkloric storytelling basis that feels so lived-in. Shelby Oaks is a horror procedural that tries to be something however routine, and whereas a number of the movie’s atypical prospers rating increased than others, it succeeds as a considerably creepy style experiment with scares and soul.

REVIEW

Shelby Oaks (2024)

Shelby Oaks is a promising debut from Chris Stuckmann that’s equal components eerie and soulful regardless of some third act shakiness.

Professionals

• The movie boasts a thick, darkish ambiance.
• Camille Sullivan delivers a powerful lead efficiency.
• Stuckmann exhibits promise in his filmmaking debut.

Cons

• Huge ambitions generally get the higher of the movie.
• There are third act troubles.
• Some influences really feel recreated, not built-in.

Shelby Oaks had its World Premiere on the 2024 Fantasia Worldwide Movie competition.