20 Recent Horror Movies That Made ONE Big Mistake
3. Ditching The Found Footage Setup - Shelby Oaks
Chris Stuckmann's feature debut Shelby Oaks received wildly mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, and a common sentiment among both was that the film started out strong before petering out once it transitioned unexpectedly from a found footage/mockumentary style into a more conventional narrative presentation.
Many were left disappointed that Stuckmann didn't stick to the far more interesting style of the first act, which set up a tantalising mystery while clearly taking inspiration from the hugely acclaimed likes of The Blair Witch Project and Lake Mungo.
Once Stuckmann abandons this, though, the film segues into a far less interesting, more conventional horror film throughline, leading up to a wildly unsatisfying payoff.
While found footage isn't nearly as popular as it was, say, 15 years ago, there's still a strong, passionate fanbase for the subgenre as Stuckmann surely knows, so it's a shame he didn't commit more fully to that style.