Who took Riley Brennan? That is the mystery that is the central focus of Shelby Oaks, a film in which its very creation is almost as unbelievable as the horrors within. YouTuber Chris Stuckmann turned his passion for films into practice when he launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2022 for his debut feature film, Shelby Oaks, alongside fellow Paper Street Pictures founder Aaron B. Koontz. What he probably didn't expect, however, was for the fundraiser to exceed $1.39 million in its first month, and for genre icon Mike Flanagan to sign on as executive producer with Neon distributing. The traction the film has already gotten means expectations are high as it enjoys its UK premiere at FrightFest 2024.
The film begins with a documentary detailing the ride of four paranormal investigators of the popular YouTube channel Paranormal Paranoids, including Peter (Anthony Baldasare), David (Eric Francis Melaragni), Laura (Caisey Cole), and Riley (Sarah Durn). The group went from height to height as they documented several examples of paranormal phenomena on their channel, but their career went off track when they travelled to the ghost town of Shelby Oaks and vanished without a trace. The doc focuses on Riley, with her sister Mia (Camille Sullivan) sharing everything from her childhood as a talented but tortured artist troubled by vivid nightmares, to a young adult still very close to her sibling and who takes the paranormal deathly seriously. Filming on the documentary is cut short when a mysterious man turns up on Mia and her husband Robert's (Brendan Sexton III) doorstep to take his own life, leaving behind a videotape that shows Riley's true last moments and sends Mia on a quest to find his connection to her sister.
The fast-paced, found footage beginning imparts all the essential information viewers need to know about Riley, Mia, their family dynamics both then and now, and the details of the Paranormal Paranoids missing person case in a way that feels natural. The talking head interviews are set up to feel and play like any other true crime documentary you can find within seconds on a streaming service, and it's a familiar way to absorb background information without feeling spoonfed. The switch from behind the camera to the present-day unfolding could have been jarring, but it ensures the narrative can play out without finding ways to naturally answer why the events are constantly being filmed, a common criticism of some found footage films.
The narrative maintains its air of mystery with each twist and turn, as each reveal seems to uncover further questions leading to Shelby Oaks. There are fewer traditional scares than many horror fans may be expecting, but the eerie sense of dread slowly burning throughout the film as well as the grief-stricken Mia is enough to maintain its dark atmosphere. Arguably the most terrifying thing within Shelby Oaks is the ever-present spectre of loss, as Robert struggles to come to terms with his dream of becoming a father lying in tatters while Mia obsessively hunts for her sister and puts her own life on hold in the process. Camille Sullivan is magnificent in the role of Mia, commanding every scene she graces and grappling with the heavy subject matter in a nuanced, tender fashion.
The winding mystery culminates in an explosive, but somewhat out-of-place final act that is as puzzling as Riley's disappearance and somewhat feels like a hurried culmination to the so-far intricate plot. But Shelby Oaks is an undoubtedly impressive feature debut crafted by filmmakers who are clearly passionate about genre cinema. The edge-of-your-seat thrills, impeccable sound design, thoughtfully crafted cinematography, and powerhouse performances bring to life the tragic tale of Riley Brennan in a feature that is sure to become a must-watch for all horror fans.
Shelby Oaks had its UK premiere at FrightFest 2024 on Friday, August 23.