There’s no denying the very probable success of a horror film that claims to be real. Audiences from all over the world and cultures are fascinated by the idea that what they may be seeing is real, or at least that it’s a faithful reenactment of something that happened. The proof of this lies in franchises like The Conjuring, The Strangers, and the Amityville movies.
The rise of the found footage genre and a general willingness to experiment with the format over time have led to a subgenre of horror that presents itself as a true story: the horror mockumentary. This started with films like Cannibal Holocaust and Man Bites Dog (which we are giving honorable mention here), but the format has continued to grow exponentially. Especially within the inherent structure of found-footage horror, often framed as a group documenting an event that spirals out of control. It is a fine line to tread, but here are our picks for the best horror mockumentaries.
‘Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon’ (2006)
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon tells the story of a film crew who are making a documentary about an aspiring slasher villain. It’s a very funny comedy at first, given how the film parodies the slasher genre and its tropes, making fun of absolutely everything you may remember as the rules. However, things take a wrong turn when the filmmakers realize Leslie Vernon is actually serious about his goal, and his murderous night begins.
The film features cameos by industry greats like Robert Englund, Zelda Rubinstein, Kane Hodder, and Scott Wilson. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon‘s treatment of its horror element culminates in its third act, when all jokes are laid aside, and the film becomes a fight for survival as Vernon tries to create a legendary final girl to survive his spree.
‘Noroi: The Curse’ (2005)
Straight from Japan, Noroi: The Curse is the story of Masafumi Kobayashi, a researcher who’s making a documentary about strange events. Starting with a story about a burned-down house and a young boy who disappears, it soon veers into the supernatural as Masafumi interviews various experts and locals. When it comes to international found-footage horror films, Noroi: The Curse is always on the list, because it is one unnerving film.
This one is a slow-burn, but it builds up to one of the most shocking reveals in the entire genre. Director Kōji Shiraishi is also a director that fans of horror mockumentaries will want to seek out, with several films in the genre, including long-running series that focus on the monsters and urban legends of Japan.
‘S&Man'(2006)
S&Man is a curious one, as it is, in part, a real documentary. The film delves into the world of low-budget, extreme cinema, with several notable names in the genre appearing to discuss their craft. Yet, in the documentary, one of the ‘filmmakers’ who produces the fictional S&Man film series is not who he seems.
The fake filmmaker among the batch, Eric Rost, is introduced earlier in the film, with his interviews interwoven with those of others. His film series, gaining notoriety for showing him stalking and killing women, has developed an underground following. But the documentarians become interested in his ‘artistic’ approach, only to learn he is an actual killer who won’t let his secret get out.
‘Savageland’ (2015)
If you love yourself some true-crime and horror mashed up, Savageland is a standout mockumentary that nails the vibes of investigative TV and a fictional, terrifying zombie film. Following the events and arrest of Francisco Salazar (played by Noé Montes), who is accused of killing all 57 residents in a remote Texas city, the film goes over the details of the case, highlighting the pictures that Francisco took. Yet, as the investigative report shows, they question if the event is a cover-up, and what really happened, as the photos appear to show zombies attacking the residents.
While the delivery here should not inherently be horror, the filmmakers, Phil Guidry, Simon Herbert, and David Whelan, show an impeccable understanding of how investigative programs can tug at the heartstrings. Additionally, the photos of the alleged event are hauntingly surreal and terrifying, capturing the panic of a man trying to save others from a zombie outbreak. A masterfully executed mash-up of genres that will linger with viewers long after the credits roll.
‘Tex Montana Will Survive’ (2015)
Tex Montana Will Survive follows the titular Tex, a disgraced survivalist TV show host whose show was outed as being entirely fake. Dropped by his network and desperate to prove himself, Tex heads into the wilderness, making a documentary to prove he can be a survivalist.
While this one is often labeled a comedy, we think there are enough horror elements here to appeal to those looking for a horror-comedy mockumentary. Notably, the movie’s charm largely comes from Tex’s commentary, played by the charismatic Jeremy Gardner, and fumbling through the most basic tasks he once claimed to be a master of. The horror? What do you expect to happen to someone who gets lost in a winter forest with no survival skills? It is far from a good time for Tex.
‘Horror in the High Desert’ (2021)
The very creepy film Horror in the High Desert tells the story of filmmakers who try to make a documentary about Gary Hinge. The amateur hiker has been reported missing by his sister, and there are no clues as to what happened to him. However, as the film progresses, some evidence is found. That evidence reveals why Hinge disappeared from the face of the earth.
It’s no secret that Horror in the High Desert delivers in the third act. However, the buildup in the form of a documentary allows the audience to dig deeper into the mystery of Gary and his unsettling fascination with hiking in the Nevada wilderness. It’s great preparation for an ending that will satisfy horror hounds who seek scares. The setting and atmosphere are also goosebump-inducing.
‘Incident at Loch Ness’ (2004)
Incident at Loch Ness is Zak Penn’s directorial debut after working as a screenwriter on big Hollywood films, before he transitioned to writing superhero movies. The film is a mockumentary about Werner Herzog that Penn is producing, and it’s also about a film Herzog is making that’s about the Loch Ness monster. As expected, some things turn out to be much too real. This is one of the most underrated found footage films of all time.
The very strange yet effective concept of Incident at Loch Ness takes a meta approach and stays within those walls throughout the film. There are only a few ‘actors,’ as everyone seems to be playing themselves, including Herzog. He and Penn do a great job at playing believable filmmakers who never confirm what’s real and what’s not. In the end, you will have questions, and that’s intentional.
‘Punishment Park’ (1971)
Punishment Park is a pseudo-documentary that puts a film crew in the middle of the California desert as the National Guard is supposedly forced to take action against anti-government citizens. Those detained have the option to serve time in a federal prison or to stay in Punishment Park, whatever that means. What ensues is a well-documented abuse of authority that resulted in one of the most controversial films ever made.
Punishment Park is one of the earliest examples of the mockumentary format. Made in 1971 by Peter Watkins, the film portrays a minimized version of a police state where brutality is the norm and all insurrections are punished in the most gruesome of ways. To add realism to this dystopian nightmare, Watkins based the film on a formula of improvisation, guerrilla filmmaking, and, above all, the drive to make a point about America’s sociopolitical crisis at the time. It doesn’t sound like a horror movie, but few films on this list are more terrifying than this one.
‘Digging Up the Marrow’ (2014)
Digging Up the Marrow tells the story of Adam Green (yes, the director behind Hatchet, Chillerama, etc.) as he tries to make a documentary about art featuring monsters. The problem is that he is contacted by William Dekker (Ray Wise), a man who can help him prove that monsters are real. Green takes a leap of faith and agrees to meet Dekker, who becomes obsessed with his investigation.
Green’s film features cameos by Tony Todd, Joe Lynch, Lloyd Kaufman, and Don Coscarelli, among others. This adds to the authenticity of his own concept. But it’s Ray Wise’s portrayal of Dekker that makes Digging Up the Marrow a memorable and underrated horror experience that, sadly, flew under the radar. However, it’s a very interesting film worth watching for horror aficionados; the reveal of the monsters, notably, is pure campy fun.
‘The Poughkeepsie Tapes’ (2009)
The Poughkeepsie Tapes also takes a pseudo-documentary approach, as police raid a house and find hundreds of tapes. The film combines footage from the tapes with testimony by specialists who try to explain the viciousness of serial killer Edward Carver, whose acts are reflected in the tapes the police find. When it comes to disturbing found footage films, it’s hard to beat The Poughkeepsie Tapes.
Most of the film consists of Carver’s vile acts caught on tape. It’s not exactly a realistic tale, and it doesn’t aim to be one. However, as the film enters its third act and centers around one of Carver’s victims, it suddenly becomes a very disturbing psychological horror film that shows the unfortunate effects of Carver’s acts. This moment is considered one of the scariest in found-footage history.
Source link
Add Comment