After much anticipation, Chris Stuckman's film 'Shelby Oaks' has finally hit theaters. Known for his success on YouTube, Stuckman turned to crowdfunding, breaking records to support his directorial debut. With Mike Flanigan joining as a producer and Neon coming on board to offer additional funding, the final cut of the film expands upon its original vision.
'Shelby Oaks' follows the story of Riley, who vanished in 2008 after running a YouTube channel called the Paranormal Paranoids. The film is initially set up as found footage from Riley's channel before transitioning into a conventionally filmed narrative, following her sister Mia's search for her. Camille Sullivan stars as Mia, and her strong performance anchors the film.
The film employs an effective horror atmosphere and sound design, although some elements feel like homages to past works. It juggles various tones and styles, reflecting its YouTube origins, and at times, certain decisions within the plot seem questionable. Despite structural challenges and pacing issues, 'Shelby Oaks' manages to deliver some genuinely creepy moments.
While its narrative can be inconsistent, the production values and cinematography are impressive, demonstrating Stuckman's potential in filmmaking. His growth will depend on focusing on his strengths and perhaps collaborating with experienced writers in future projects. 'Shelby Oaks' showcases a promising start to Stuckman's career in cinema.