Shelby Oaks is part found footage, part faux documentary, and part traditional narrative feature.
Synopsis
A woman named Mia searches for her sister, Riley, a member of a paranormal investigative team called The Paranormal Paranoids.
Riley and her friends vanished while investigating the abandoned town of Shelby Oaks, leaving behind footage that hints at a terrifying, ancient evil and a connection to Mia’s and Riley’s childhood.
Mia’s investigation into her sister’s disappearance uncovers a deeper, supernatural horror connected to her own past.
My Thoughts on Shelby Oaks
Good Points
Strong Opening Hook
The first fifteen minutes of Shelby Oaks was really good, and it sets up the film well and draws you in, and it shows Stuckmann’s understanding of suspense and horror mechanics
Emotional Core with the Sisters
The bond between Riley and Mia is the real heart of the film, and the flashbacks of their childhood in particular help deepen the intimacy of the film.
Locations
The mix of found footage and traditional shots works well in the locations used, particularly in the first half.
Realistic Reactions
The characters respond pretty naturally to the events around them, and feel believable enough most of the time.
Balanced Mystery and Supernatural
The film maintains ambiguity, and blends the mystery with hints of the supernatural and combined this keeps you fairly interested.
Slow Burn Horror Approach
The movie gradually builds dread rather than overwhelming you with constant scares, which won’t be for everyone.
Bad Points
Second Half Pacing Issues
The film becomes a bit too cluttered in the latter half, as it attempts to juggle a bit too much with some uneven pacing thrown in.
Inconsistent Horror Execution
Some of the reveals and supernatural moments sometimes feel a bit too forced.
Special Effects Limitations
The Effects are ambitious but occasionally look artificial, and some sequences could have relied more on suggestion.
Ending Lacks Punch
The resolution, while wrapping up the main story. feels too rushed and somewhat anticlimactic, and the epilogue overstays its welcome.
Tonally Uneven
The film shifts from intimate emotional horror to standard supernatural thriller elements, which creates a bit of a tonal imbalance.
Predictable Tropes
Certain horror choices the film uses feel familiar, and while they still generate tension, they are somewhat predictable.
Final Thoughts on Shelby Oaks
Shelby Oaks is a promising debut from Chris Stuckmann, with a strong opening, even if the second half is uneven.
But it demonstrates Stuckmann’s grasp of atmosphere, character, and suspense, and it’s worth a watch for fans of emotionally driven, slow-burn horror, even with its flaws.
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