10 Scariest Horror Movies Of 2025
7. Shelby Oaks
In Chris Stuckmann's Kickstarter-funded indie Shelby Oaks, Mia takes part in a documentary centred around her sister, Riley, who supposedly died 12 years ago. When a deranged man takes his life on Mia's porch, she finds him in possession of a tape labelled "Shelby Oaks." Upon watching it, Mia realises Riley may still be alive.
Shelby Oaks starts like a found-footage doc, only to transition into a mystery drama 20 minutes in. Not just is this genre-switch unexpected, it establishes the film isn't playing by the rules, making it impossible to know what direction it's going in next.
Although Shelby Oaks contains brutal gore and conventionally haunting imagery, it's the unknown factor that keeps the tension sky-high. Clear explanations are withheld for the longest time, slowly eroding any sense of safety. Mia is initially analytical with her investigation, but slowly realises the answers she seeks are anything but logical.
By the time we reach the third act, the supernatural is fully embraced. Though this could be jarring, viewers should be completely enraptured by Mia's dilemma, making the otherworldly danger surprisingly personal and therefore, more distressing.