Invoking Yell is a found footage movie set in Chile in the 1990’s that won’t be for everyone with its slow pace and lack of horror elements in the first half of the film.
Synopsis
Three young women who are all metal heads, venture into the woods to shoot a demo tape for their black metal band, but things take a dark turn as they document their disturbing and unorthodox process of recording paranormal phenomena.
My Thoughts
Invoking Yell has quite a gritty, homemade feel to it and I loved the tension at times, even if it was a bit slow, and this movie had some things going for it, but wasn’t quite executed well enough, though it does have that real feeling going for it.
Apparently it was shot in just one weekend, which is some doing. Directed by Patricio Valladares, he manages to create a film that as I said above, you almost cannot tell if what you were watching was real or not, and that’s always a good thing when it comes to found footage, as this aspect often isn’t executed well.
While the character development isn’t up to much, you still find them quite relatable as you listen as they talk about a passion for music so many of us will relate to and also turn on each other, and the all female cast feels quite fresh, bickering about stuff as they spend time in the wilderness, and the acting is pretty solid.
Some will find it all a bit annoying though, especially with the pacing issues, it’s intentionally slow and certain parts grow pretty repetitive quite fast and the horror elements could have arrived a bit quicker.
It’s more of a drama then a horror movie truth be told for the most part, but I was invested and thought it was OK, but it won’t be for everyone who want constant horror elements or more things going on.
Invoking Yell is still a half decent film I felt and is wonderfully shot, but isn’t without its flaws, and while I didn’t mind it, many will zone out quite quickly as well I think.
And you can tell the inspiration the film got from The Blair Witch Project, too.
Good Points
Acting: As said, the first hour or so is more of a drama, but the actors carry it all really well.
Nostalgic Feel:: The film captures the gritty, raw feel of 1990s horror movies superbly.
Black Metal Aspect: If you’re into black metal, you will have fun with this film.
Bad Points
More Drama Than Horror: If you want non stop horror elements, this won’t be for you. Personally, I don’t mind it, but I know many do.
Slow Pacing: The pacing of the film, while intentionally slow, will make a lot of people nod off if you don’t connect with it.
The Horror: The horror aspect doesn’t really kick in to around the hour mark, and more could have been done before that I feel in that regard as it would have felt more engaging.
Is It Worth Watching?
Yes and no.
If you want something engaging from the get go with horror elements, you might get bored with this, as it doesn’t really kick in for an hour or so.
As I mentioned, personally I did not mind that but I can see a lot of people getting bored with it, and no doubt it could have been done better in that regard.
But if you’re OK with a slow pace and letting it all build, and in particular if you’re a black metal fan and connect with the characters, it’s worth staying the course.
But it’s a film that could have been really good, but just falls a bit flat as a whole.
Where To Watch
Director and Cast
Director – Patricio Valladares
Main Cast – María Jesús Marcone, Macarena Carrere, Andrea Ozuljevich
Found Footage Horror Movies 
Let Me Know Your Thoughts!