The Extraordinary Journey of Shelby Oaks
That any film makes it from an idea to our screens is a miracle, but the story behind how Chris Stuckmann’s Shelby Oaks came to be is truly remarkable. A film critic known for his video reviews on social media and boasting over two million followers on YouTube, Stuckmann began working on the script in 2016 after sharing a similar sketch. His journey took a pivotal turn when he met producer Aaron Koontz, leading them to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund the feature film. Their goal was $250,000, calling on Stuckmann’s online followers for support.
Surely neither Koontz nor Stuckmann could have predicted the attention the campaign would receive, garnering a staggering $1,390,845 and attracting the attention of horror icon Mike Flanagan and production company Neon. This made Shelby Oaks the highest-funded horror project on Kickstarter after far surpassing its goal. Since then, a buzz has surrounded the film, with Stuckmann documenting the making of the film on his YouTube channel.
Following its initial festival run in 2024, Neon offered Stuckmann and crew a funding boost to further enhance the film—particularly its gore—with the new and improved Shelby Oaks hitting cinema screens in the UK from October 29.
A Unique Narrative Approach
The genre film begins with one simple question: Who took Riley Brennan? Shelby Oaks starts off in a found footage mockumentary format detailing the lives and careers of YouTube stars Paranormal Paranoids—Peter (Anthony Baldasare), David (Eric Francis Melaragni), Laura (Caisey Cole), and Riley (Sarah Durn). Their channel saw the group investigate paranormal phenomena across the US, eventually traveling to the ghost town of Shelby Oaks, where they all disappeared without a trace.
The opening 'documentary' focuses on Riley specifically, whose body was never found, with sister Mia (Camille Sullivan) sharing everything about Riley’s troubled childhood, their close friendship as adults, and how her sister's disappearance affected her. When a mysterious man arrives at the home of Mia and her husband, Robert (Brendan Sexton III), and takes his own life, the discovery of a mysterious tape he is carrying sends Mia on a quest to find her sister.
From there, it switches from found footage to a conventionally produced, narrative film as Mia witnesses Riley’s real final moments before disappearing and travels to the town of Shelby Oaks for answers.
Everything You Need to Know About Shelby Oaks
Synopsis:
A woman’s search for her long-lost sister becomes an obsession when she realizes a demon from their childhood may have been real, not imaginary.
Cast:
Camille Sullivan
Sarah Durn
Keith David
Brendan Sexton III
Michael Beach
Robin Bartlett
Certificate:
15
Runtime:
91 minutes
Release date:
In UK cinemas October 29
I managed to catch the film both in 2024 at FrightFest in London, and again more than 12 months later, following the tweaks made to satiate gorehounds itching to see it. And the changes are minimal, with more graphic shots of the Paranormal Paranoids’ dead bodies and an extra bloody death scene sure to delight horror fans this Halloween. While it doesn’t change the overall trajectory of the story, it adds a darker edge, and the reshoots allowed Stuckmann to make the film he always wanted, as he told TheWrap.
Stuckmann’s passion for the horror genre is evident from the moment the film begins, wearing its influences from The Blair Witch Project to Lake Mungo and Noroi: The Curse on its sleeve. The film’s fast-paced, mockumentary beginning imparts the essential backstory viewers need about Riley and Mia’s family, the Paranormal Paranoids, and Shelby Oaks in a way that feels realistic and engrossing in an era where a new true crime documentary seemingly hits streaming platforms every other day.
Stuckmann’s knowledge of influencer culture and the pressures of content creation also pays off in droves when it comes to the Paranormal Paranoids and the reactions they received online, catapulting them to fame and pushing them further into danger.
A Film With Room for Improvement
But the one major change that could have benefited Shelby Oaks when it came to reshoots is sticking within the found footage genre, where the film truly excels. While the mystery remains twisting and the atmosphere bleak and eerie despite the jarring switch from found footage to conventional narrative feature, Shelby Oaks loses its momentum and scare factor as it goes on, culminating in a lackluster and baffling third act.
The mockumentary style in horror is often criticized for being played out, but with how Stuckmann and co attacked the subgenre and with their unique knowledge, the first act of Shelby Oaks is far more fresh and exciting than the remaining film, which often feels like three separate ideas mashed together.
Despite this, how Shelby Oaks tackles its central themes of loss keeps the narrative ticking, on top of a frighteningly strong performance from leading lady Sullivan in the role of Mia. The pain she feels over the loss of not only Riley but the trajectory of her own life is more haunting than the sinister forces behind the central mystery, and will remain with viewers far past the credits rolling.
Shelby Oaks suffers from its change in style and never quite hits its stride after, but it’s an impressive feature debut nonetheless, with interesting ideas, thoughtfully crafted cinematography, and exciting performances that cement Stuckmann as one to watch in the future.
Shelby Oaks is released in UK cinemas on October 29.
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