Heidi

This 2014 film starts off as a generic low budget found footage and scary doll film shot by teenagers, but evolves into a more complex and genuinely creepy tale. The final scene before the end credits spooked me in a way that stayed with me, and which few horror films accomplish. This predates "Annabelle", and it wears it's influences on it's sleeve (even making direct Chucky references). If you've ever wondered how an animate doll can accomplish complex murders, this movie will clear that up for you.

This wasn't anything we haven't seen before but I enjoy FF movies so I wanted to give it a try. The cast is likable and fun, they prank one another so there's no reason to believe them when things go bad.

However, the plotting is a little too clunky. The doll Heidi is locked up, gets loose. But the reactions aren't "OMG!!!" It's more like, "Wtf?" And then it happens again. And again. And again. There's never the sense that something truly out of the ordinary has happened. Even when they throw it out a couple times and it comes back...still not much reaction.

Then for some reason, some people are murdered and the film just sort of loses its focus. (Animals are killed too, and that always bugs me more than the humans!) And I started to lose interest. They hire a psychic to find out what's going on and she's no help, Google is no help...and I gave up. Didn't watch the last 20 minutes--which shows that I really did lose interest!

I don't usually write reviews but giving in on this one. I LOVE horror movies and while this isn't grade A, big budget, fare, it was completely entertaining.

The lead actor, young and definitely not a pro - was great to watch, fit the role and I think, really helped this movie along as he was so likeable.

Again, definitely not big budget, but they made fine work with what they had and didn't have to rely on useless gore or cheesy affects. The doll 'Heidi' was sufficient to give the necessary chills.

This wasn't a total slow burn, but also didn't rely on jump scares - it was just genuinely creepy and a fun watch.

I had the privilege of seeing Heidi at the 2014 Pollygrind fest. I knew nothing but the title of the film, and that it was a packed house. That was it. Unlike allot of the internet, I enjoy a good "found footage" film, the genre has an immediacy and and honesty in it's scares that just works for me. From the first act of the film I could tell that this wasn't just another kids go missing in the woods affair. The film had an instant charm that really doesn't let up. Speaking of not letting up, the increasing sense of danger this tiny doll imposes as the film rolls. This film was made BEFORE Annabelle BTW, and honestly shares pretty much nothing other than a haunted doll at their core. Either way, the film runs us through a series of very well done set pieces meant to do one thing, be scary and build the danger that lead to a climax that unlike allot of FF films, doesn't just peter out. These sequences really show the film makers clever side, utilizing the approach in such different and unique ways, it's hard not to get sucked into the fun of the whole affair. I truly hope Heidi gets a nice fat distribution deal because say what you will about found footage, this movie rocks what its got and then some, and seeing some of the dribble that hits big screens representing the genre, it would nice to see something so well crafted and with so much heart behind it up there of the marquee.

This could've been a classic low-budget found footage film, but the use of soundtrack and cheap jump scares (with large variations in volume) hold it back from greatness. If it hadn't been for those bits, I probably would've scored it much higher. The plot is also a bit of a tired trope, but most of the execution shows a lot of creativity and passion. It does manage to feel special and unique, despite the typical premise. It features. a great atmosphere and builds a sense of dread, helplessness, and terror.

I will also say, the climax scared the @#$% out of me! Although I think some people will probably find it kind of hokey. Personally, I found it genuinely terrifying and my heart was beating out of my chest.

If you like low-budget FF, definitely give it a watch.