Found footage horror movies seem to be on the rise this year, and that’s thanks in part to The Outwaters. Playing in select theaters beginning today, this film by Robbie Banfitch has been drawing hype since early last year, when it began playing at various film festivals around the world. Following its theatrical run, viewers will be able to stream the movie exclusively on Screambox.
The film follows four friends who make their way to the Mojave Desert to film a music video. Once they pitch their tent and settle in for the night, strange things begin to happen. There’s not much to give away here in terms of spoilers because I’m still not exactly sure what I watched. The film starts off slowly, giving some background on the main characters, a lot of which I think could have been condensed. Even once the foursome gets to the desert, things seem to go slowly until night falls. But once that happens, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from the screen.
At once frustrating and mesmerizing, the found footage filming style of the movie works well with this story. Shaky camera angles and glimpses of footage in the dark feel real, even though the viewer feels annoyed at not being able to see everything that’s going on. Somehow it works and heightens the mystery and horror of the film. The whole second half of the movie I felt anxious, frustrated, and honestly, toyed with. The last few minutes of the film were horrifying and I actually felt sick to my stomach. The acting is amazing, especially since you don’t even see the actors on screen for much of the film.
All of that being said — what was the movie really even about? An alien invasion? An acid trip gone wrong? A descent into madness? I’m not quite sure. If you’re looking for a movie that has a clear plot and a tidied ending, this isn’t the movie for you. But if you’re looking for a slow burn and ambiguity, this will leave you feeling uncomfortable for days to come.
All theaters: https://theoutwatersmovie.com/
