Even the laziest found footage film could engage a viewer for quite a while; the format of unraveling a story via video recordings or discovered footage, and the unpredictability of it all, is hugely appealing to viewers who enjoy alternative narrative devices.
But, making a found footage horror film is not without its challenges, as it requires quite a bit of visual maneuvering. Yet, there are several horror films that could have actually made use of the found footage treatment and would have fared better if they were designed along these lines. Here are just a few horror films that would have worked better as a found footage movie:
Midsommar
It’s entirely possible that Ari Aster did at some point think of designing Midsommar as a found-footage movie. The premise of the folk horror film actually had room for a documentary-style narrative if some key elements could be switched up.
The story unravels in a commune that’s almost cut off from the world, so no one really knows what happens to Dani and her friends. The cult ritual at the end of the film especially would have worked great as footage material, especially since it’s unlikely that Dani ever left the commune to tell her side of the story.
Tusk
This creepy, astonishing horror film by Kevin Smith may have actually fared better if it was made as a found footage movie, or if it balanced elements of this sub-genre within its storytelling. One of the major highlights of the film is the walrus costume that was made out of human skin and fitted with tusks that were made out of tibia bones from Wallace’s severed legs.
If presented as recorded footage, this body horror motif could have been rather fascinating in establishing how bizarre and perverse the set-up was.
Ready Or Not
This film delivers a scathing cultural commentary and yet manages to factor in elements of an old-fashioned thriller. Ready or Not essentially revolves around a game of manhunt, so there are many ways the grisliness of the premise could have been explored.
The cinéma vérité design would have been a great way to offer an unfiltered look into the psyche of the hunters and also Grace since her role is so complex. The scene where Grace tries to flee the mansion in a car but fails to call the cops from her car’s system would have worked as recorded material with jarring angles.
Get Out
The Jordan Peele movie has quite a few skit-like sequences, but it also has a lot of visual detailing and symbolism which are often hard to capture as recorded footage. Also, Chris is hypnotized with aid of audiovisual material, but this element would have worked flawlessly for the found footage format if the script was changed moderately to fit this narrative style.
The sunken place in Get Out would have to be something a lot creepier or intense or visually obvious than the stylized metaphor that it was if it was depicted via recordings. But, the found footage angle would have worked best as a behind-the-scenes look into the Armitage household or to explore a little more realistically how exactly their nefarious operations unraveled.
It
It would have probably been a lot scarier if it was made as a found footage film. Of course, that would have meant taking some narrative liberties with the Stephen King novel.
A good way to handle this design would have been to treat the first film of the franchise as a set-up to the sequel; so, instead of showcasing Pennywise in all his horror and showing him up-close, the film could have depicted him as a monster who is only partially captured on camera. This would have added to the mystery of his origins. The second film could have been used to offer an in-depth look into how Pennywise preys.
Personal Shopper
This film has a really intriguing script that’s thrilling and yet sensitive, but some more texture in its storytelling could have amped up the drama further.
Maureen is a personal shopper to a supermodel and is also grieving the death of her twin. She’s also a medium who can sense spirits, so there are visual aspects that would have been far more intriguing if shown as found footage sequences or as security clips. The scene where Maureen witnesses a murder or when she feels her brother’s presence could have used an edgier narration.
Scream
At least one movie of the Scream franchise could have definitely explored this format of filmmaking. Yes, the script would need certain adjustments, but Wes Craven’s style usually breaks certain narrative boundaries anyway, and, since Scream is about a masked serial killer who is never really witnessed by a large number of people at the same time, the found footage design would have really worked in its favor.
Also, the film pulls back the curtains on a very organic form of horror that’s haunting and engaging, and this method would have only made things more dramatic.
A Quiet Place
If A Quiet Place indeed was to be made in this style, quite a few things would have to be shifted. But, there are so many great ways this style could have worked for the movie, especially since found footage works excellently for creature horror flicks that revolve around a monster of an undetermined nature.
The film unravels in a post-apocalyptic world, so, if it was a found footage film, it would probably be framed as a flashback in an assortment of consciously filmed clips, CCTV footage, or home videos, which would have been an interesting take.
It Follows
In the film It Follows, a group of sexually active teens are preyed upon by a curse that can be transmitted from person to person via sex. Even though the film has a great script, it takes a while for the audiences to figure out what’s going on, which is why a found footage format would have ideally been a great design for the film—especially since the makers wanted to retain the sense of metaphorical danger.
The Exorcism Of Emily Rose
This film’s narration changes gears to make the plot more engaging; the screenplay mainly resorts to flashbacks, a court proceeding, and solo scenes featuring Erin Bruner. As a found footage movie, this effort would have been cut in half, and it would also make the drama more earthy and the horror more urgent.
The film has tried on many occasions to convey how sick Emily was after her possession, be it through the experiences of her pastor or her classmates. But, the film simply needed a better visual design that would be in sync with the purpose of its script.
