Horror in the High Desert

Don't read anything about the plot. It's not well known, they use actors that not only can act but also look like real people, and it's filmed like a documentary. So let your significant other know you heard about a really good REAL scary documentary. By the end you'll both be watching wide eyed while holding your breath...

This is one of the most disturbingly effective found footage movies I have ever seen. And I have seen my fair share. Why this has such a low rating I have no idea. The acting is convincing, the storyline is enthralling, I have ADHD and never once checked to see how long I was into this film. I'm a seasoned horror movie buff and this is the first time I have been a bit scared especially at the end. Kudos to the director and everyone involved in this film. And no, I was not one of them. I will definitely be checking out more by this director. As I understand there is a part two and three but I'm not sure if it's the same director.

Horror in the high desert is a cinematic feat that very few people could pull off. Dutch Marich is the director, writer, cinematographer, producer, and editor of this extraordinary mockumentary horror film based on the true story of Kenny Veach. It's beautifully shot, with acting that is surprisingly impressive for a cast that had relatively no experience in feature films. The dialogue was sharp, and the ending is as tense as it could've possibly been with the budgetary constraints the filmmaker was under. If I was ever going to attempt to get into filmmaking, this is the blueprint I would follow. Marich was able to maintain creative freedom because of the lack of studio interference and the extremely low production costs. Nonetheless, he crafts a stunning film with an abundance of creativity and some palpable suspense and mystique. He deserves all of the credit for this original piece of art that incorporates fright, thrills, and the influence social media has on an individuals ego as it relates to decision making.

It would appear that a lot of fake reviews are here. The movie was VERY slow and dull. There was no mystery to the ending. Definitely no sequel is going to happen. But I did give it a 5 because the last 20 minutes actual were pretty creepy. I suggest skimming the first hour in 5 or 10 minutes, and then just watch the last 20.

I understand that Found Footage movies are typically about building up to the big ending, and that's fine, but I do prefer it when the meat of the film has a little more going on that just interviewing 5 or so people and chopping between them intermittently. It's only 82 minutes long the film luckily, but the first 67 minutes are basically just this. It can test your patience a little. The final 15 minutes though was a very well done sequence for the most part.

When we finally get to the action 'Horror in the high Desert' does have something to offer. The camera angles, the noise (what was that noise?) and the suspenseful timing were all very well done. The only thing that it forgot is that it's what you don't see that is always scarier than what you do. We saw too much and it ruined it a little for me. That's being a little bit nit-picky though.

If you've got some patience then this one could be for you. It seems to be setting itself up for a sequel too, so look out for that if you enjoy it. 7/10.