The Fear Footage Review (2018)

Synopsis

On April 19, 2016, Deputy Leo Cole vanishes. The next morning, his body camera is discovered.

My Thoughts

Good Points

Clever Setup

I loved how the movie kicks off with Deputy Leo Cole responding to a 911 call at a house that supposedly doesn’t exist, as it’s such a simple hook, but it immediately sets what’s to follow.

Anthology Structure

The anthology format works well here, and instead of dragging out one thin story, the film splits into three distinct tales, and ach one has its own flavor, which all tie back to the house.

“Birthday Party”

The first segment sets things off strong, featuring a kid with a camera and a clown lurking in the backyard. It goes from silly to terrifying, and sets the dark tone well.

“Storm Stalkers”

The underground tunnels are claustrophobic, while all the graffiti gives the location some personality, and it nails that trapped, no way out vibe that found footage thrives on.

“Speak No Evil”

This one digs into folklore and backstory, which I always enjoy, and the payoff in the abandoned church delivers some of the most unsettling imagery in the whole film.

Creepy House as a Wraparound

Every time the film cuts back to Deputy Cole exploring the house, the tension spikes, and the film never makes it feel like downtime.

Sound Design

For such a tiny budget, the sound design is impressive, and features layered noises, whispers, and distant rumbles that keep you listening closely.

Pacing

At 71 minutes, it’s lean and sharp, and there’s not much filler it has to be said. Each segment gets to the point, builds its dread, and then makes way for the next.

DIY Marketing

The barebones rollout of the movie mirrors its mystery. No flashy trailers, no major press push – just a stripped-down website, and it feels like you’ve stumbled on something you weren’t supposed to, which adds to the fun.

Bad Points

Budget Limitations

Even though the film makes the most of its resources, you can still feel the budget straining, with some shots being a little too dark.

Character Depth

The anthology format means we don’t get much time with anyone, and aside from Cole, most characters are sketched in broad strokes.

Overuse of Night Vision

The green tint works pretty well for atmosphere, but after a while it gets a bit repetitive, and starts to feel like a crutch. A little more visual variety would’ve helped.

Some Predictable Beats

If you’ve seen a lot of found footage, you’ll probably see a lot coming.

Final Frenzy

The ending cranks everything up to eleven – flashes of horror, nonstop noise, Cole screaming. It’s effective in the moment, but it also feels a little overcooked compared to the more measured creepiness earlier seen.

Is The Fear Footage Worth Watching?

I like The Fear Footage, and it feels like you’ve uncovered something you shouldn’t be watching.

It’s rough around the edges, but the atmosphere is impressive, and the anthology setup keeps it all fairly lively.

Worth a watch!

The Fear Footage Trailer
The Fear Footage on IMDB
Where to Watch The Fear Footage

Check out my reviews for the sequels The Fear Footage: Curse of the Tape and The Fear Footage: 3AM.