Wilderness Tapes: Volume 1 (2026) review

Synopsis

In Volume One, “Prospector Pete” explores an abandoned gold mine, encountering supernatural horrors as his expedition takes a dark turn.

My Thoughts on Wilderness Tapes: Volume 1

Good Points

Straightforward Storytelling

It sticks to the basics of found footage, and doesn’t try and be cleverer than it needs to be – it’s simple, clear, and easy to follow.

Pete

Pete’s acting can be a bit stiff, but it works for the character, and he comes across as a real amateur filmmaker.

Short Runtime

At just 51 minutes, there’s little filler.

Atmosphere

The remote wilderness and abandoned mine help create a natural feeling of isolation, with subtle details helping with the tension.

Slow-Burn Tension

The creeping unease works fairly well at times.

Potential for Series

The anthology setup leaves room for expansion, and if future volumes follow the same tone and style, this could develop into a decent horror series.

Subtle Supernatural Elements

The film relies on suggestion, which gives it a ghost-story quality.

Bad Points

Mild Scares

I would have liked it to have gone bigger at times, and some moments that could have been big are too understated.

Uneven Acting

While Pete’s performance works in context, other parts of the cast feels stiff and/or awkward at times.

Limited Threat

The mine and wilderness setting are fairly effective, but the sense of danger never feels immediate.

Predictable Plot Beats

The story won’t surprise you much, and fans of found footage will see most twists coming.

Lack of Character Depth

Pete is the main focus, and we don’t get much sense of his background or personality beyond his filming persona.

Minimal Horror Variety

The film sticks to subtle, eerie moments, and there’s little variety in how tension is built, which can make parts of it feel repetitive.

Short Runtime Limits Development

While concise, 51 minutes means the story can’t explore its potential fully.

Final Thoughts on Wilderness Tapes: Volume 1

Wilderness Tapes: Volume One isn’t a groundbreaking horror film, but it’s an OK short for fans of found footage, even with flaws.

Hopefully this can be built on and the anthology can improve with each volume.

Wilderness Tapes: Volume 1 Trailer
Wilderness Tapes: Volume 1 on IMDB
Watch Wilderness Tapes: Volume 1