Willow Creek
People complain about found footage horror films all the time, and while there’s no shortage of awful attempts to lazily build a film around the gimmick rather than find a way to weave it into the narrative in a meaningful way, I’ve noticed some admirable stabs at the well-worn genre. Willow Creek is an example of how to use the genre’s strengths and avoid its weaknesses. In fact, until The Babadook stole its crown, this was my pick for Horror Movie of the Year.
Willow Creek doesn’t push the envelope in any real way and it’s easy to be annoyed by the half of its cast that’s played by Bryce Johnson, but it is scary. It also takes a page or two from the genre’s biggest success stories — namely Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch — by taking its time with each scare.
Don’t worry, the pay-off is worth it.