found footage Horror: 10 Movies That Would Scream Louder Without the Shaky Cam!
Why Some Found Footage Flicks Just Don't Cut It (and How to Fix 'Em!)
found footage horror movies: they’ve been around since the 1960s, creating some seriously creepy and effective chills! That shaky-cam, home-video aesthetic? It was groundbreaking at first, yet can now feel really limiting, especially in that overly familiar feeling created by repeating a format that audiences know so well, and have grown tired of after many unsuccessful attempts.
While many found footage films do scare the pants off people, some truly deserve a do-over! This article examines ten films which were critically successful, in the genre – but might have even MORE potential with traditional moviemaking techniques. Get ready for some horror-movie analysis with some constructive criticism thrown in. There will be some spoiler-lite discussion for various titles too.
10 Found Footage Films That Deserve a Big-Screen Remake (Without the Shaky Cam!)
10. Creep (2014): The Missed Opportunity for a Jumpy Scare-Fest!
Creep, directed by Patrick Brice starring Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice, uses found-footage for an interesting idea, highlighting those unsettling situations where the viewers experience horror on their own: the videographer's terrifying encounters with a dying man; a very eerie situation that ultimately evolves into complete chaos.
Yet that method hampered its ability to be a much scarier film. Many potential jump scares just lingered; leaving unsettling shots and making audiences uncomfortable– it can definitely work. Yet the moments and imagery shown are only partly shown; were this entire thing shot with traditional methods, far greater impact would be achieved! These parts wouldn't feel half-baked in the traditional setting and audiences would respond more enthusiastically!
9. Apollo 18 (2011): Alien Encounters Deserve a Better Cinematic Look
Apollo 18 was pretty innovative in that the entire storyline was space-based! Most found-footage films aren’t sci-fi, making this one stand out! A secret mission to the moon which is then met with surprising yet horrifying events.
Those aliens were jarring; that kind of monster was unique for found-footage films. However, those events themselves failed to create as much suspense; The method didn't properly portray the aliens' impact – a proper monster movie (think Alien or Pitch Black) would make the most out of this!
8. As Above, So Below (2014): Parisian Horror Needs to Breathe
Shot in the actual Paris Catacombs, this is an amazing psychological horror that examines issues regarding faith. Its premise and story; which examines a group exploring these terrifying caverns which leads to unbelievable, terrifying moments that deeply unsettle.
Its visuals are incredible. Yet the personal viewpoint hampered its true potential! This one had far more possibilities to really take advantage of its visuals; had this not been shown through a very restricted lens, that shifting world which ultimately created those moments would’ve added to those horror aspects to improve even more upon what already exists in its storyline!
7. Unfriended (2014): Cyberbullying Horror Needs More Perspective
Unfriended is truly unique; taking place mainly within that confines of a Skype call, deviating massively from the other found-footage films allowing for movement, or changing settings and locations; in that the characters are all mostly stuck in place! It features some serious themes regarding online bullying; it examines its aftermath and consequences after that terrible decision to commit suicide.
Being so static? That hurt its storyline greatly. Adding other perspectives—perhaps by showcasing things that transpired before, might make this feel more impactful. Some other external factors could’ve greatly increased what was ultimately possible for this premise. Even seemingly minor additional content would've allowed audiences to have even greater insight into the drama presented!
6. Cloverfield (2008): Monster Mayhem Deserves a Blockbuster Treatment!
Cloverfield (directed by Matt Reeves) was amazing! That monster attack on New York City? Totally gripping! It’s also known because of those other movies that are closely associated with this particular series: 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox. Yet the found footage format, this shaky footage created something less than what would be anticipated had it utilized a proper blockbuster style – and even more than its relatively minor thematic connection to other titles in the same film franchise – its creative opportunities would be immense! That awesome monster might even be much more intense.
5. Megan Is Missing (2011): A Controversial Film That Needs Reimagining
Megan Is Missing is intense; possibly exploitative. That story showing the terrible risks from trusting internet strangers presents truly gruesome depictions of abuse which had negative implications and could've easily been overdone. The movie lingers where it shouldn't and its closeness to those horrible things made its message unclear for its own target audiences and for critics.
This would require reworking the entire plot and adding stronger distance in the actual storytelling choices. Changing the narrative to something more detached would reduce those potential complaints that many viewers might encounter.
4. The Visit (2015): Shyamalan's Thriller Could Shine Brighter
M. Night Shyamalan's The Visit blends found footage with traditional filmmaking techniques. Those kids visiting their grandparents? That unravels into seriously creepy horror! The ending has those unpredictable plot elements; and plenty of surprises! That blending of filming styles worked; but doesn't utilize its full potential because of its indecisiveness!
A fully traditional film approach would utilize the strong aspects already developed while discarding the aspects that hurt the film, such as moments where the entire action freezes and the cinematic choices remain too controlled to completely justify using those shaky camera viewpoints which hurt the entire experience.
3. Cannibal Holocaust (1980): A Controversial Classic That Could Use a Remake
Cannibal Holocaust (directed by Ruggero Deodato) is historically important, launching the entire genre into a huge era of film making! That Amazon rainforest rescue mission and all those gory encounters with the infamous cannibalistic tribe are notorious; banned, unbanned; politicized for decades. This specific movie did add social commentary— but those techniques can be changed, the entire film’s impact could’ve easily improved!
It was previously criticized; labelled a “snuff film” — those claims would’ve easily reduced had it not used the found-footage format. A new movie might better convey its critical aspects more effectively through a stronger and less problematic narrative which utilizes the same events and themes.
2. The Blair Witch Project (1999): Masterful Tension, But It Could Be Even Scarier
This one doesn’t need introduction, folks. The blair witch project is a landmark title that made found footage famous! Its simplistic premise involving that encounter with the fictional Blair Witch created intense tension which used relatively simple tools– a forest, actors, a cabin, some totally believable scenes. This low-budget yet intensely effective technique is brilliant and created some extremely successful moments!
Yet, think about it. A traditional film, making it even more terrifying— with an enhanced focus on jump scares — yet that realistic, grounded-in-reality feeling could be preserved through a few thoughtful decisions in cinematography alone! A total makeover!
1. Paranormal Activity (2007): Demonic Possessions Deserve a Blockbuster Upgrade
Released in 2007, paranormal activity totally revolutionized the entire genre of home-video style haunting storytelling. That premise involving that young couple’s terrifying experiences created unbelievable chills! It followed that familiar ghost-hunting TV-style approach with home cameras documenting the terrifying occurrences.
A non-found-footage remake could greatly elevate this classic storyline! It'd retain its intensely spooky feel; but would be even more creative with those visuals, especially that suspense-building; emphasizing some really scary techniques that were largely unseen because of that limitations previously found within the found-footage style!
Conclusion: Found Footage's Potential, When It’s Used Correctly
These films, while enjoyable, were seriously hampered! The limitations are clear; even more when considering the immense advances in film technology, and those incredibly innovative techniques available today to storytellers which were not possible when some of these films were released decades earlier!
This entire list emphasizes one thing: found footage can be amazing, but a well-made traditional film would often allow those creative opportunities; resulting in a totally elevated product and more capable storytelling – and creating those potentially terrifying thrills in far more effective ways, using those modernized and up-to-date filmmaking strategies. Sometimes that creative evolution is what those kinds of plots truly need to reach the levels many would easily anticipate!
