Shelby Oaks delivers chilling demonic scares through found footage.
Before the screening of Shelby Oaks at Fantastic Fest 2025, director Chris Stuckmann said the project had truly come full circle. It was at a previous Fantastic Fest some years ago that Stuckmann successfully pitched the film to producer Aaron B. Koontz. It was clearly a special moment for Stuckmann to now present the film to the crowd that would truly appreciate what it has to offer.
A Disappearance Sparks the Horror
Shelby Oaks begins like the kind of true crime sensations that flood Netflix. In found footage and documentary-style filmmaking, the film opens with the story of Riley Brennan (Sarah Durn), a member of a popular YouTube paranormal investigation team that went missing in 2008. Twelve years later, Riley still hasn’t been found, but her sister, Mia (Camille Sullivan), hasn’t given up hope. The story unfolds with demonic presence, hellhounds, abandoned prisons, and amusement parks—everything that makes for a fun horror experience.
Transitioning from Found Footage
About a third of the way into the movie, it shifts from pure found footage into traditional horror storytelling. This technique helps keep the pacing brisk. While the transition may feel like a cheat, it ultimately benefits the narrative, even if the final execution feels uneven.
Jump Scares and Practical Effects
The film leans on jump scares, but they’re effective. The creature design is practical and terrifying, showcasing impressive craftsmanship. Strong location choices and a haunting score from the Newton Brothers and James Burkholder heighten the overall experience, making it both eerie and entertaining.
Verdict
Chris Stuckmann’s Shelby Oaks blends horror styles into a unique hybrid that is effective and unconventional. Even if the film isn’t flawless, horror fans will find plenty to sink their teeth into when it releases wide on October 24th.
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Drew Munhausen
Media and Movie Mastermind who co-hosts the Moviegoers Society Podcast and Fresh out the Pod.
