In Our Blood has its bumps, but it’s a worthwhile entry in the found footage space.
Synopsis
Filmmaker Emily Wyland documents her reunion with her estranged, recovering addict mother in New Mexico; but when the mother vanishes, Emily and her cinematographer Danny uncover sinister some clues.
In Our Blood Good Points
The Lead Performances
Brittany O’Grady and E.J. Bonilla in particular carry the film pretty well and have good chemistry, which helps with the slower stretches of the film.
Quiet, Gradual Build
Nothing is too rushed, and all the tension grows in small steps, which helps the unsettling feeling of dread at times.
Strong Opening
The early moments set the stage well, and the tone carries throughout.
Engaging Mystery
The film gives you clues and enough information to make you think, but not so much that the story becomes easily predictable. (Least for me, anyway!)
Confident Directing Choices
Pedro Kos leans into simplicity rather than spectacle, and nothing feels forced which I always like.
Portrayal of Addiction
Emily’s trauma, Sam’s regrets, and Danny’s personal history add some genuine emotional weight to the film that you rarely see in found footage, and it’s quite an emotionally dark film overall.
The Social Commentary
The film explores the subject of transient individuals that go missing, and are often ignored by authorities.
A Bold Final Act
The film’s final act and ending shifts fully into horror, and delivers some unexpected twists, although I won’t spoil anything!
In Our Blood Bad Points
Jarring Final Act
While the final act is bold and certainly not bad, the sudden escalation and tonal shift felt a bit jarring.
Middle Section
There are a few scenes where the investigation circles the same points without ever adding much, and feels like filler for fillers sake.
Some Found Footage Logic Gaps
There are moments when you question why the camera is still recording, and while it’s not constant, it happens enough to notice, as does some other found footage tropes.
Some Emotional Scenes Run Long
A couple of dramatic moments between Emily and Danny wander past their natural stopping point, and became a bit annoying.
Not Enough World Building
More context about certain things would have been nice, especially after that ending.
Final Thoughts on In Our Blood
In Our Blood has its bumps, but it’s a worthwhile entry in the found footage space.
But as a fan of low key tension and atmosphere, I enjoyed it overall.
It does have a slow pace though, if that’s not your thing!
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